Beowulf, the Seamus Heaney translation

Beouwulf - the Seamus Heaney translation
Pages: 213

So not gonna lie, I read sparknotes for most of this book because I couldn't understand what I was reading. As soon as I read it I would look on sparknotes for the dumbed down translation and I understood what was going on. This is an extremely difficult book to read, especially if you have no experience with old english or translated works. 

The main characters are Beowulf, Grendel, Grendel's Mom, and Hrothgar. Beowulf is our hero, Grendel is our antagonist, a descendant from Cain, Grendel's mom is obviously what her name means, and Hrothgar is the King of where Grendel was rampaging.

The plot was good but they used to many words for something so simple, but I can't really bash that because that's just how things were written back then. This book was written in 1040 if you don't know. So it was super wordy and I found myself falling asleep several times and not remembering what I read and having to go back and reread several pages. 

Other than all of these things the fights were pretty short but visual which was great. It was heartbreaking at the end a little after everything Beowulf did he ended up dying. 

This book is definitely for mature readers. Not because of content, but because I'm in an AP English 12 class and most of my class needed the teachers help with it. If you can understand it without help props to you because I couldn't haha. It really is a good book and NO THE MOVIE IS NOT ANYTHING LIKE THE BOOK. So don't go watching the movie and then thinking you read Beowulf because you saw the movie. NO. Not even close. Think again. This is a very good book to stretch your brain though. If you're ready pick it up and try it. Carry on my wayward readers.

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Princess
Pages: 502

So this is the third book in the Infernal Devices series which the spin-off series of the mortal instruments but it was written in the time period of over 100 years before The Mortal Instruments, and it was how everything came to be. This book was amazing. I'll try not to have any spoilers in this but readers beware.

So the main characters are the same as in every book. Will, Tessa, Jem, Charlotte, Henry, and Sophie. They all basically have the same characteristics as they did in the first two books except for the fact that Will is letting his walls come down and it's freaking adorable. I ship Will and Tessa so hard. And for those of you who don't know what that means it just means that that's who I want in a relationship in the book. And in the end it sort of happens and then it sort of doesn't, I really can't explain more without spoilers.

The plot in this book was basically the same. If you read the first book or two you know that they are trying to find Mortamain. Well that plot is still continued but it does end I promise, but the good thing is I was still never bored through the whole book. Even though it still had the same general plot.

It took me like two days to read this book because I absolutely could not put it down. Not gonna lie, I cried, I laughed, I got incredibly angry. This book took me on a mini emotional roller coaster. I wasn't so overcome with emotions, but just enough to make me enjoy the book. Clare did a great job writing this book. I would recommend this series to anyone.

The only thing I didn't like was the sex scene omg. First they were taking off their shoes and then he couldn't figure out how to get her dress off and then it was like "and he moved his body to cover hers." Like seriously? I realize that this is a young adult book but come on can't you give me a little something here? But oh well, I guess a girl can't have everything she wants.

Five stars for this book. Please go out and read this book series. And if you haven't read the Mortal Instruments go read that also. The movie was pretty great. Could've been a smidge closer to the book but it was still great. Go read these two series! Carry on my wayward readers.

Reign Or Shine by Michelle Rowen

I'm really not sure about this book. I like it, I really do, but...Michael. Ugh.

This is the first time I've ever liked a main female character and totally wanted to stab the love interest with a pitchfork. He was just so...so stupid.

Reign Or Shine by Michelle Rowen
Pages: 284

You know that insanely, ridiculously, and utterly retarded TV show, That 70s Show? Whenever Michael came into the book, my thoughts went straight to...well...Michael "Kelso" Kelso...

"Do you have any idea how annoying you are?"

"It wasn't every day I came right out and admitted my real feelings. But Michael seemed to be the type of guy who needed these things spelled out for him."

See. Even Nikki acknowledges it!

But, I will give him props for being one of the only Michaels I know of in a book that didn't have blonde hair, blue eyes, and played guitar. Awesome points from me.

Besides Michael, the story was just really predictable. I knew who the bad guy was, the motive, and how they were going to be stopped not even half-way through the book. Seriously people, when the bad guy is oozing niceness, it's obvious what their intentions are.

Then there is the over-all cheesiness of the book (it cheesiness a word?! o_O). I mean, the last couple of lines in the book were: Mess with the demon and you get the horns. Cute horns, but still, horns.

Nikki Donovan was okay compared to most heroines. She was actually pretty bad-ass at times, and didn't rely on Michael to save her. (Okay, she did once!). But why is she so damn peppy? Was Rowan trying to contrast her demon self and her human self? If so, too far.

Before you know it, demons are going to be sparkling, too. 

The over-all plot of the story is pretty good, and it kept me entertained for the most part. It's very fast-paced, and there were really no boring parts. I did really like the book, much to my complaining over Facebook, and too Christina...and my mom.

The only reason I picked up this book was because I wanted to prove that I am a better demon princess that Nikki Donovan...I am~

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin
Pages: 352

I've been dreading reviewing this. Not because I have nothing to say, but because so many people love this book (and, you know, it's a literary icon), but because I don't want people to think I didn't "understand" it, because that seems to be my peer's conclusion for me and my friends not liking the book.

No, I understood it perfectly fine. It was just so damn BORING! Nothing happened at all for a good two-thirds of the book.

Another thing is that I just couldn't connect with the characters, especially Elizabeth. She was just way too judgmental for my liking.

Mrs. Bennet was irritating, too. I really don't think she's care if her daughters were married off to mass murderers, as long as they're married and have money.

Most of the characters were pretty one-dimensional, to say the least.

While reading this book, my mind often wandered to other things. I am normally very focused when it comes to reading, going as far as to listen to music while doing so without being distracted. When reading this, I found every reason to get my mind off of it. It was just that boring.

Not to mention that when I stopped reading, I felt kind of out of it, warped (I refrain from saying I felt "high", being as I have never been in that state before).

I thought maybe I'd like this because I do like historical fiction. I suppose it was the romance aspect of it that bothered me. I don't know.

Either way, I had to read this whethered I wanted to or not (well, I could have chosen not to, but then I wouldn't get into the AP English course...). A couple of my friends have read it previously. One told me it was terrible, the other said: "Well, you like to read, so I think you'll like it. Besides, it's soooo good!" 

Yeah, I think not, Alex. :D

That's about all I'm going to say. It's all I can think of saying, at least. This book was just not for me.

Fifty Shades trilogy by E.L. James

Fifty Shades Trilogy
(Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, Fifty Shades Freed)
Pages:
Book 1: 380
Book 2: 532
Book 3: 594

Okay, I'm gonna start off this review saying yes, I did read the fifty shades trilogy, obviously. Honestly, the only reason why I read the series was because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. No, I'm not going to go and out and become the next Mrs. Robinson. 

The main characters in this book were Anastasia Steele, and Christian Grey. Anastasia was the young, innocent, ignorant girl who fell in love with the powerful, sensual, dominant Christian Grey. Anastasia kinda got annoying after a while to be honest. She was always complaining about something. Christian also got annoying after a while because he tried to hard. But Christian is oh-so-hot and I loved reading about him.

(Btw no I never got turned on by this book. I had somebody ask me that. That's weird....sorry but no....)

The plot was love and sex. Basically that's it. Every time you turn around they were "doing it." I think they mistook passion for love honestly and I would like to read a book about them 10 years from now to see if they still "have it" whatever it may be. I mean it was hot, yes, and sometimes I was just like why the heck would they do that, but mostly it was just corny and repetitive. I was intrigued by their so-called "love" though.  They couldn't get enough of each other, and they were always there for each other. But sometimes it was just stupid and I was like "can they not control themselves for five minutes when around each other?"

I seriously read all three books in 3 1/2 days because I wanted to see what happened. I honestly skipped through most of the sex scenes after the first three because they were all the same just about. If you cut out the sex then you have a decently well written love story. It could have been better but then again it was a sex driven series so how good could it actually be?

I wouldn't recommend this for anybody who is not mature enough to read it. I'd say 14+ because I think that kids under 14 shouldn't be reading this kind of stuff yet. Heck, kids my age (almost 18) shouldn't be reading this stuff, but if you do read it be prepared and don't think that this is all sex is about and how relationships are if you've never been in one. It's just a book. I give it 3 1/2 stars. 

Thirst No.5 by Christopher Pike

Thirst No. 5 
Author: Christopher Pike
Pages: 441

Okay, so the main characters of this book are the same as they have been. Seymour, Sita, Matt, and the other little people that they pick up along the way. They haven't changed much so there's not much to put about them. 

The plot of this story is about Sita going back in her head and reliving the Holocaust. It takes a while because she can't remember much. The book started off slow and kinda hard to get into, I considered giving up several times. But when Sita started sharing the story it started to get interesting. The story stretched on through just about the whole book, and I couldn't put it down because I wanted to know how her story ended. I actually got kinda confused in several spots in this book and had to reread them because I was lost. You have to be able to keep up with this book because it is way more "smart" than the last four books. But all in all, pretty good plot.

This book didn't take me that long to read once I got past the first couple chapters. Maybe three or four days. I lost track of time to be honest. But pretty good book. I would recommend it. The first four book reviews are listed below if you want to check them out, if you haven't read the series yet.

Thirst No. 1
Thirst No. 2,3,4

Sorry!

Sorry to all of those people who follow my blog, I have been super busy, I have been reading (PROMISE!) Just no time to post anything so I'm going to gather up all of my memories and post a bunch of reviews from books that I have read in the past couple of months. I finally got a new laptop (my last one didn't have internet), so hopefully it will be easier to keep up with the blog. Please don't hate me for losing track of well, everything! Please please please recommend books! and give me feedback! I'm always happy to hear what you have to say!  Thanks for being patient with me! -Christina 

The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being A Wallflower

Pages: 224

The main characters of this book are Sam, Charlie, and Patrick. The names have been changed for the discretion of the person who wrote these letters. This book is just a bunch of letters Charlie, a 16 year old boy, wrote to some random stranger he picked out of the phone book. Sam is the main girl whom Charlie is in love with. Patrick is the second main boy whom is gay, and then there's Charlie who is obviousley the main character of the whole book. 

The plot is that there really is no plot. It's much like Catcher In the Rye in that aspect. But this is way better because there's more depth to it. So I can't actually explain the plot.

This book massively made me think about life. Not in a big way but it made me think about the little things. Charlie notcied everything from the way people talked to the way they acted at a party. The little things made a difference to him and it made me think that maybe I should pay attention to how somebody sits in class, or how my best friend smiles, or how when somebody is angry I can cheer them up. Knowing something without really knowing. The little things were more important to Charlie than the big things. It was odd to me at first but at the end of the book I understood why he did it.

This book didn't take me very long to read, one, because it was very short, and two, because it was so good. This honestly is probably one of the best books that I think I've read, and that's wierd to me because it wasn't that flashy of a book. I definitely would only recommend this to people who are a little older because there are some things in this book that aren't appropriate for some people. 

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Go Ask Alice by Anonymous

Pages: 224

This is going to be a short review. Go ask Alice is about a girl who is 15 and gets addicted todrugs. I won't tell you anything more than that or it will ruin the story. All the characters are not the real names because it's the diary of an actual girl. I don't want to tell you much about this book because it's so hard to explain this book. This book goes in depth to what drug abuse can do to a person. It shows you that drugs really aren't everything. I read a lot of drug related books because I want people to realize how bad drugs really are. I don't want to say anything much about this book because there's not much to say without giving the plot away but it is a very good book.

With a very sad ending.

This book took me about two days to read and let me tell you it was an emotional ride the whole time. 

I highly recommend this book for people who are mature enough to read it and to understand it. This book, although written by a 15 year old, is still, in my opinion, a mature level book.

Read on.

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare

Pages: 502

This book was so amazing. It was even better than the first book. The characters were still the same. Charlotte, Henry, Will, Jessamine, Jem, Tessa, and a few other characters that are important to the plot. 

The plot thickens as Will's secret curse is found to be... His sister's death was...? Seriously I was not expecting this twist. It was so amazing I can't even describe it to you. I really was not expecting it at all. 

This book makes my emotions soar. I get mad in places, happy in others, sad in some. I even made a happy noise when I found out about the twist in the plot and all my classmates thought I was going crazy.

I loved the ending also because I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. I know what should happen, and I know what is happening, but I don't know what will happen. 

I am so exceedingly happy with these books it's just unbelievable. cassandra Clare does a great job writing them. Honestly these books are way better than The Mortal Instruments series. Although I kind of wish she had written these first because it gives us insight on several different things that didn't make sense in the mortal instruments series, and it's kind of confusing because I have to remember that it's before Jace and Clary's time, not after and I get confused with the time periods. So if you haven't read The Mortal Instruments series yet I suggest you read this series first because you'll understand the other series better.

This book took me about three days to read. Not only because I was busy, but I couldn't put it down. It was so good! Definite must read.

The Tragedy of Macbeth by Shakespeare

The Tragedy of Macbeth
Pages: 112

This was quite an amazing book. We had to read it for school in my AP English class. There were plenty of characters but the one's that were the absolute main ones were Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Duncan, Banquo, the Witches and Malcolm.

Macbeth is the main focus of the story, and he has a very significant character change in this play. He goes from our main protagonist to the main antagonist. Lady Macbeth is Macbeth's wife (DUH) and she also has a very significant character change. Macduff is a character that oposes our main force Macbeth. Duncan is the first king in the play, Banquo is Macbeth's best friend, The Witches are obviousley witches and they give several of the characters prophecies in the play which in turn end up being what the play is revolved around. and Malcolm is Duncan's oldest son. Yes I know these character analysis' are very vague but I can't say anything about their character without revealing some of the plot. And I don't like spoiling plots.

The plot was intense and it kept me hooked the entire time. I was confused at some points and if I hadn't have been reading it with my teacher I probably would have been totally lost. I mean it is Shakespeare and Shakespeare never wanted his plays to be read in class. He wanted them to be performed.

I can't really make an accurate account of how long it took us to read this because we did read it in class but it didn't take us that long. I really wouldn't recommend anybody to read this on their own, either wait to read it in school or read it with a teacher that can explain things to you as you go.

Some things that I found very interesting is that in theater (because I am the stage manager of my school's theater program) saying the word 'Macbeth' can lead you to getting kicked outside. It's a very superstitious word. I accidentally said it without even thinking about what I was saying and my drama club teacher literaly kicked me outside and made me stand out there, spin around three times and say the worst curse I could think of. She was dead serious and wouldn't let me back in until I did it. So I did some research and found   that Macbeth is a "cursed word" When people say it it's found that bad things happen. In one play somebody actually died backstage after saying the word and it seems that when somebody says it anything that can go wrong does. I just found this interesting and figured I should add it in just so you guys can get a little background on this story. 

If you're reading this on your own and want help understanding it I'm here to help. :) Just ask. 

My Columbian Friend

Before I start, no this is not a book review. But I just want to take the time to tell you guys something incredible. A year ago (in my sophomore year) a boy named Andres transferred to my school from Columbia. He spoke absolutely NO English whatsoever. He had to walk around with an interpreter for most of his first 8 months, he's moving to South Carolina today and I'm going to miss him incredibly but I just want to tell you guys that after a year he was sitting in my AP English Literature and Composition class and honestly making a B+ that's incredible. After a year in a wierd school in a foreign country and not being able to speak any of that language, and a year later sitting in one of the top honors English classes. That's incredible. So I just want to let you all know that anything is possible. If my best friend Andres can do all that without giving up than anybody else can do something if they put their mind to it.

The Things They Carried - Tim O'Brien

The Things They Carried

Pages: 246

The main characters in this book are actually quite hard to describe because O'Brien doesn't really explain their character much. He just describes what they carry which is supposed to show us who they are as a person, and to a point it did, but not as in depth as I would have liked. 

This book is from many different perspectives and honestly I got quite confused as to who was talking when. I also was quite confused as to whether or not i could believe anything in the story because at one point he said it was all true, but then at the end he said that none of it was true. His daughter asked him if he had killed anybody and he said that he could have honestly said no. But then he could have also honestly said yes because war is all about the stories he said. So it's hard to actually believe anything that's in this book.

In the end I actually kind of liked the book because it made me think about what it would be like if I was in a war. Alltogether I was glad this book ended, but it left me with a feeling of insignificance, and that I take to many things for granted because describing some of the things that happened in war and the things they had to do I realize that I take things for granted that they didn't have.

I wouldn't get this book for anyone not in high school. I'm a junior and talking with some of my classmates, I was also no the only one who didn't understand it. The last twenty pages of the book was the best part of the book. It took me forever to read this book because it was just to much to take in at one time because there were so many things going on.

Changeling by Phillipa Gregory (UNFINISHED)

Changeling By Phillipa Gregory (Unfinished)

 

Pages: 256

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Release Date: May 24, 2012

Rating: 1/5

I am at a loss for words. This is only the second time I have ever given up on a book.

I got up to page 69 before calling it quits. Yeah, few weeks, 69 pages. It was that bad.

From the first sentence, I knew it was going to be terrible. Now, I may be wrong, but I do not believe there were handguns in the 1400's. So, comparing the banging of a door to the shots of a handgun is a pretty bad choice.

I have never read any of Gregory's adult novels, but I do know she is supposed to be a master at historical fiction. I will give her the benefit of the doubt, but it did not shine through in her YA debut.

In the very beginning, our main protagonist, Luca, is said to be rumored a Changeling. Hence the title, I suppose. From what I read, and what I have heard from others who have read this book, is that it was only mentioned one other time. Whether this is going to be brought up in future installments, I guess I'll never know.

Speaking of Luca...Yeah, I don't like him. He is a bit of an ass. A boring ass, at that. As for our heroine, Isolde...She's boring, too.

The only character I liked, at all, was Isolde's friend and servant, Ishraq. She was the only one with ANY personality what-so-ever. I love you, Ish. I love you.

I did not get up to any parts with romance, but considering the main characters are so boring, I cannot believe I am missing all too much.

I don't see myself picking this back up

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

 

Pages: 485

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Release Date: April 24, 2012

Rating: 4/5

I have finally been able to read the much anticipated new series from Julie Kagawa, The Immortal Rules, and I have got to say:

It was pretty good!

Now, my love for this book comes nowhere close to the love I have for The Iron Fey series. As much as I wanted to totally love this book to death, there were a couple minor things that bothered me.

First and foremost, the beginning was so freaking slow. It took a good quarter of the book, at least (if not half of) for the story to pick up. The "Human" section was especially slow. It is not until the "Vampire" section that the story starts to unravel, and not until the "Monster" section where I was like "Ohemgee! Sososososogoood!"

I want to say that section didn't begin until about page 200.

Another thing was that it reminded me of other stories put together: I Am Legend, Interview with the Vampire, Morganville Vampires, and even some minor aspects of The Forest of Hands and Teeth.

Though, even if there were minor aspects from other works, Kagawa still made it her own.

Now, this last thing was something that really irked me: the misuse of the word "hung". The beginning scene was a really good world-building scene, where we see Unregistered being HANGED. When I person is sentenced to death by hanging, it is called being hanged, not hung.

Of course, there are some really good things about this book. For example, the world-building IS very good. You get a good sense of what it would be like to live within a world ruled by vampires. Like I said, that first scene at the gallows was really good.

There was also to love interest, Zeke. Now, the unusual thing about Zeke is that we don't even get to meet him until half-way through the book. Even then, I wouldn't say they instantly fell in-love with each other. They had an actraction, but there were a few things that drew them apart from each other.

The rest of the side characters were all wonderful. They all had some form of role to play in the story, instead of just being there for the hell of it.

The way the book closes is a major cliff-hanger, but a good one. I would recomend this for anyone who is a fan of The Iron Fey series. You will not me disappointed.

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

 

Pages: 617

Publisher: VIZ Media, LLC

Release Date: November 17, 2009 (Released in Japan February 26, 2003)

Rating: 4/5

Battle Royale, what can I say? We've had our ups and downs, laughs and tears. Sometimes I wanted to devour you; other times I wanted to throw you across the room in frustration.

If you haven't heard of this book by now, you must be living under a rock. This is the book people are saying The Hunger Games ripped off. Do I agree? Ehh, not really.

What do The Hunger Games and Battle Royale have in common? Let's make a list, shall we?

1) A group of randomly selected kids are taken to a remote area to battle to the death. Last man standing wins.

That is about ALL they have in common. A premise that has been done before.

But, this isn't about their similarities. This is about how I feel about Battle Royale

I first got introduced to the book via the movie. It was on demand, so I watched it, knowing full well that it was based on a book.

I think the movie is a great stand-alone. Yeah, it's really corny at times, and the deaths could look a LITTLE fake (very fake...), but it's still a good movie, coming from someone who at this point hasn't read the book.

My friend, on the other hand, read the book first and pretty much despises the movie, claiming it's too "different."

Yeah, I agree, but I still love the movie. <3

So, onto the actual review.

As I stated before: I had my ups and downs with this book. It was really fast-paced and kept me on edge, but...

I will agree with my friend on something: the chapters where characters weren't killing each other were too boring. It was during those chapters I just wanted to put the book down.

Before starting a chapter, I'd check the end of it for the student count. If I saw no one died, I'd mentally curse and take a break from reading.

I'll admit, the translations were bad. Like, really bad. Fortunately, I can't really blame that on the author. For all we know, he can be the God of Literature, so I am not docking for that. But, there is one thing that bothered me:

The unnecissary information in the parenthesis. I just felt it wasn't needed and didn't flow well with the rest of the story.

Then, there is just this minor nit-pick: all the lovin' that was going around in Shiroiwa Junior High School Class B. I mean, it seemed everyone was either in love with some random person, or with Narahara.

I tried rationalizing that, because they were in a life-or-death situation, that their feelings escalated, making their crushes seem more like...love--yeah, maybe I'm over-thinking it!

Even with those minor complaints, I think this book will be staying with me for a LONG time (even though I will eventually have to give this copy back to Nicole...).

I really would recomend this book to everyone, even if you do have a weaker stomach. I think it's worth reading, even if it is just to say: "Yeah, I read this huge-ass monster!"

It's really not that long. xD

Rapture by Lauren Kate

Rapture by Lauren Kate

 

Pages: 448

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: June 12, 2012

Rating: 2/5

Warning! Rambing and Possible Minor Spoilers That Don't Really Matter!

So, we have the conclusion of Lauren Kate's Fallen series.

I have to say: as much as I trash this series, it does hold a place in my heart. It's like that annoying sibling you love, but want to punch so damn bad.

I stared out LOVING this series so much, I shoved it onto my friends (sorry guys). They didn't like it as much as I did, and all I had to say was "Whaaaat?"

The second book, I still liked, but not as much as I remember loving the first. It took me a couple tries to get into.

Third is where I started to see why so many people hated this series. It was between Torment and Passion where I started to get into the mythology of angels and demons, and saw the terrible flaw in Kate's mythology.

I have to say, though, Rapture was a teeny bit better than Passion!

Okay, so now that Luce and Daniel are back in the present, they have to stop Lucifer from once again falling from Heaven and sending time back to before the fall. In order to do this, the team must split up into three groups to find the three ancient relics. In doing so, they will find the site of the Fall and will be able to stop Lucifer.

Short summary, but that is the main point of the final novel. Pretty interesting, no?

Well, unfortunately that brings our main problem. Remember those three groups? Well, it turns out that Daniel and Luce are in a group of their own (shocker). You know what that means~!

Boring, sappy romantic time!!! Woo!

Oh, wait, that's bad.

Luce and Daniel make the most insipid couple ever! They are so boring together, I felt myself wanting to just outright skip most of the scenes (I didn't, though).

They are alone together for about a third of the book. Ugh.

My second complaint: Cameron. Cam is not a bad character, not at all. Cam is the best piece of work Kate has come up with. It's the LACK of him I have a problem with! He wasn't really even there until the last third, and even then, he rarely spoke.

It's like Kate realized that most of the people reading this series are doing so, so we can see Cam, therefore took him out of most of the series. Makes no sense considering he was a crucial part of the first book.

I'm pretty sure that was my ultimate downfall with the series--when I realized Cam was barely in it.

Now, the mythology still bugged me, a lot, but I will not go into detail on it. I did enough of that in my review of Passion and I don't want to get too repetitive.

What I will say is that her change of the people in the archangels really, really bothered me. *twitch*

It seemed that Kate tried to make Luce "tough" in this novel...It didn't work.

There was one scene where Cam was in trouble. They made it seem like she was the one to save him, when all she did was, well...get up and nearly got hit with a starshot. It was Roland and Cam who really solved all this.

Yes, Cam saved HIMSELF before Luce could do anything.

"You're so brave."~The single most stupid thing I have EVER heard Cam say...

And one other thing...when did Cam and Luce become BFFs? She HATED him through the first three books, and all of a sudden she couldn't stand to lose him?

Girl has issues.

The "big reveal" was also pretty dumb. I won't spoil it for you (surprising, right), but I will say that it made me scratch my head and roll my eyes.

Oh, and God is female in this book. Right. So THAT'S why us women bleed through our woman areas ever month and go through painful childbirth. Because God is a WOMAN!

Spiteful, I tell you.

The ending was sweet, though. Like, the very ending. By the ending, I mean the last two chapters and the epilogue.

Just one question...WHERE'S CAM?!

Honestly, the way the ending was left, I could see a spin-off for Cam. I hope that happens.

Then again, he may end up like...*shudder*...Daniel.

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors

 

Pages: 276

Publisher: Walker & Company

Release Date: July 12, 2009

Rating: 5/5

Coffeehouse Angel wasn't groundbreaking; it didn't bring anything fresh to the book community. This doesn't change the fact that it was quite adorable and is officially my all-time favorite "angel" book and will probably be a Summer read for years to come.Katrina works in her grandmother's coffe shop. Unfortunately, the old norwegian-style coffe shop isn't bringing in money like it used to because the new coffeehouse, Java Heaven is more hip and therefore stole all the costumers.One day before school, Katrina notices a homeless boy in the alley next the the shop. After calling her best friend, Vincent (and him telling her to keep away), she leaves him coffee, old pastries, and chocolate covered coffee beans.Turns out this boy is actually an angel, and now he is determined to pay Katrina back for her selfless deed. But, will he cause more problems than he can solve?I think what I love most was that a lot of people, especially myself, could relate to Katrina. She doesn't quite know where she fits in the world. She is an average student, doesn't do extracurricular activities, and she hasn't found something she is passionate about (besides the coffee shop, of course). Another thing about her is that she didn't fall for Malcolm (our angel) right away. Actually, she kind of resented him following her around. Not that I blame her, after pretty much the whole student body thinking she has slept with him.Malcolm's character was amazing, as well. His ignorance of the human world, despite him being there so often, is adorable.Then there are Katrina's best friends, Elizabeth and Vincent. Elizabeth is the spoiled rich friend who hasn't worked a day in her life. Quite the opposite of Katrina, she knows what she wants in life and strives for it. Vincent is her closest friend. They've been inseperable since the fouth grade.Like Elizabeth, he also knows what he wants. Unlike her, he and Katrina hit some rough patches throughout the book. Their confrontations were a bit heart-wrenching to think about because of some things were said.The main antagonist, Mr. Darling, is an ass. He pretty much harasses Grandma Anna in every scene he's in. I wanted to go through the book and rip his head off. He was so mean!Like I said, this book was really good. Adorably so. If you are looking for a light read, pick this up.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

 

Pages: 418

Publisher: Little, Brown

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Rating: 3/5

 

Some Spoilers Containning Plot Are Revealed In Review

 

Daughter of Smoke and Bone stars Karou, and seventeen year old with a pretty normal life. She goes to an art school in Prague, has a best friend named Zuzana, and goes to France on errands. Wait...France?!

Okay, so maybe Karou isn't so normal, after all. Actually, as apart from her seemingly normal life, she lives in an alternate dimension with her chimera family: Brimstone, Issa, Kishmish, Triga, and Yasri. She has no recollection of ever having a normal family and is clueless as to why she lives with these chimera, as well as why she collects teeth for Brimstone. Or what's beyond the door that she is forbidden to enter.

This premise is very promising, right. I will admit, I was hooked right from the start. The writing was beautiful and witty; the setting was gorgeously described. Best of all, Karou was such a strong heroin. She always stood her ground. Well, until a certain someone came into play.

Karous met Akira while she was getting teeth from an old friend (really, he is quite old). It is here that Akira tried to kill her. Of course she was spared because, well, what's a story without the main character?

I didn't like Akira. Actually, he was the only character I didn't like in the story. Like most love interest in YA these days, he's a creep. He's boardering on Edward Cullen's level.

He even watched Karou sleep. Yeah, it was that bad.

I have heard from several people that this wasn't insta-love because he loved her before she died, in which I cry: bullcrap!

Warning! Spoilers below!
For those who have read the book, you know that Karou is, in fact, Madrigal. This is the supposed reason that it isn't insta-love, because Akira loved Madrigal. But, wasn't that insta-love as well? They knew each other for five minutes before claiming they, at least, had feelings for each other.

Afterward, they didn't see each other for two years, only to meet and, well, have sex and plan how they are going to bring peace to their two worlds.

It's insta-love.

Okay. Spoilers Are Finished
I just didn't feel they had chemistry with each other.

Moving on!

My favorite thing about the book were the side characters, mainly Zuzana, Kaz, Issa, and Yasri. They each brought their own flavor of humor into the story. Unfortunately, you don't see much of them. :(

This book was one I have been wanting to read for a long time, and I was deepy disappointed. What was a great plot and lovely set of characters was watered down by an awkward love story.

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver

 

Pages: 414

Publisher: HarperCollins

Release Date: February 28, 2012

Rating: 4/5

Pandemonium is the sequel to Lauren Oliver's Delirium which I loved so much.

This book picks up where Delirium left off, with Lena escaping into the wilds. She finds a group of invalids and joins them, learning to live the way they do.

What's different about this book is, until about three-fourths of the way, its chapters are divided up between the "before" time, and "now". I found the "now" chapters to be a lot more exciting and enjoyable, but the "before" chapters were also good.

Lena is very different than she was in Delirium. She has learned to shield her emotions quite a bit, which is reasonable for her situation. It didn't make her any less of an enjoyable protagonist.

The side characters were also very enjoyable. They had real personality that fit their prediciments. My favorite had to have been Raven. Even if she pissed me off from time to time, she was a good friend and mentor to Lena.

Now here's where I come to a crossroad: Julian. On one note, I liked his character and what he represented. Unfortunately, I did not like that he was used as a way to, in a way, replace Alex. It would have been fine if Alex had not come back, but since that DID happen, it made Julian seem like a filler.

The ending in this book was killer, and makes me absolutely hate that the final book doesn't come out until next year. Next. Year. That is insanity! I just hope it goes in the way I want it to go. Haha.