Review: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

Title: Wither
Author: Lauren DeStefano

Series: The Chemical Garden #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: March 22, 2011
Pages: 358 pages
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

By age 16, Rhine Ellery has 4 years left to live. She can thank modern science for this genetic time bomb. A botched effort to create a perfect race has left all males with a lifespan of 25 years, and females with a lifespan of 20 years. Geneticists are seeking a miracle antidote to restore the human race, desperate orphans crowd the population, crime and poverty have skyrocketed, and young girls are being kidnapped and sold as polygamous brides to bear more children. When Rhine is kidnapped and sold as a bride, she vows to do all she can to escape. Her husband, Linden, is hopelessly in love with her, and Rhine can't bring herself to hate him as much as she'd like to. He opens her to a magical world of wealth and illusion she never thought existed, and it almost makes it possible to ignore the clock ticking away her short life. But Rhine quickly learns that not everything in her new husband's strange world is what it seems. Her father-in-law, an eccentric doctor bent on finding the antidote, is hoarding corpses in the basement. Her fellow sister wives are to be trusted one day & feared the next, and Rhine is desperate to communicate to her twin brother that she is safe and alive. Will Rhine be able to escape- before her time runs out?


Together with one of Linden's servants, Gabriel, Rhine attempts to escape just before her 17th birthday. But in a world that continues to spiral into anarchy, is there any hope for freedom?

My Thoughts:
This has become one of my favorite books. The story was very captivating. I couldn't imagine a world where all females died at 20. If that was reality, I would have died two years ago and that's scary to imagine. It really puts Rhine's life in perspective. She's a teenager who has been taken away from her brother, the only family she has left and is now one of three new brides of Linden. He's a man whose wife has died from the disease.
The writing in this book was really good. The characters were well developed and you could really connect to them. It was interesting to see Rhine's mindset change over time. She started out believing that Linden was this horrible guy and she wanted nothing to do with him. Then over time she learned that Linden wasn't as bad as she first thought. She realized he was being controlled by his father and began to feel a bit sorry for him. He was trapped just as she was.
Rhine's story was great to read. I loved discovering things with her and watching her develop a friendship with the other two girls and with Gabriel. It was fun to see her & Gabriel's attempts at escaping the prison that is Linden's home also.
I think it's a great story that everybody should read.

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Review: The Goddess Test By Aimee Carter

Title: The Goddess Test
Author: Aimee Carter

Series: The Goddess Test #1
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: April 19, 2011
Pages: 293 pages
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

It's always been just Kate and her mom-- and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear that her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld-- and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy--until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become henry's future bride and a goddess.

If she fails...

My Thoughts:
Personally, I enjoyed this book. The plot was something new that I haven't encountered yet. It was a fresh take on the Greek Gods and the story of Persephone. Kate was an interesting character, I really felt for her with her emotional background, dying mother, no real friends and moving to a new town. Especially a town where you know nobody but everybody knows you & your business.
Kate quickly became the enemy of the head cheerleader, Ava, by being attractive to her boyfriend, but in an interesting turn of events, with the help of Henry, they become friends. Kate is officially not alone in town anymore. She now has two friends, Ava and James.... until Henry. Although Ava is present throughout much of the book, James is not (you'll have to read to find out why).
Kate is so worried about her mother's health that she agrees to live with Henry, who is the god of the underworld, for months in his mansion. She is told that she has to be herself & pass seven tests & if she does she'll become Henry's wife... and a goddess. But the problem is that no girl has ever survived to make it through all seven.
I loved the journey of Kate & Henry becoming closer and them finding out why all the other girls never lived. We also see her make it through the tests and go on to the judgement. It was amazing to find out who the rest of the gods were and how they essentially tricked Kate into the whole thing.
Overall, I liked the book and plan on reading the next one.

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Review: Dust & Decay by Jonathon Maberry

Title: Dust & Decay
Author: Jonathon Maberry

Series: Benny Imura #2
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Pages:  519 pages - Hardback
Age: Mature YA- some language
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Six months have passed since the terrifying battle with Charlie Pink-eye and the Motor City Hammer in the zombie-infested mountains of the Rot & Ruin. It's also six months since Benny Imura and Nix Riley saw something in the air that changed their lives. Now, after months of rigorous training with Benny's zombie-hunter brother Tom, Benny and Nix are ready to leave their home forever and search for a better future. Lilah the Lost Girl and Benny's best friend Lou Chong are going with them. Sounds easy. Except that everything that can go wrong does. Before they can even leave there is a shocking zombie attack in town. But as soon as they step into the Rot & Ruin they are pursued by the living dead, wild animals, insane murderers & and the horrors of Gameland- where teenagers are forced to fight for their lives in the zombie pits. Worst of all... could Charlie Pink-eye still be alive?

My Thoughts:
OMG this book was great! I loved the first book and couldn't wait to read this one. I was not disappointed at all! It picked up in a great place, with Benny & Nix training to leave town & go in search of the jet they saw. Because of things going on, Tom decides to leave early. He knows the Rot & Ruin is a place full of danger and decides to take the kids (Chong included) and Lilah on a route he hasn't taken in a long time. This proves to be smart because the R&R just got a lot worse. There are people who are upset about the death of Charlie Pink-eye and who want to take over his lands.... and also want revenge.
This was a great story of the challenges Benny, Nix, Chong, Tom & Lilah face as they set out on their journey. There was plenty of action to keep guys & girls interested and the continued romantic dynamic of Benny & Nix was interesting as well. I loved this book. The characters were once again easy to attach to and the story was very well written. Having Nix's journal entries was a great addition too.

Recommend:
I recommend this book to anybody! Especially guys who are reluctant to read many of the YA books out there currently.

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Review: Legend by Marie Lu

Title: Legend
Author: Marie Lu

Series: Legend #1
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Release Date: November 29, 2011
Pages:  305 pages - Hardback
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

What was once the western United States is now home to the Republic, a nation perpetually at war with its neighbors. Born into an elite family in one of the Republic's wealthiest districts, fifteen year old June is a prodigy being groomed for success in the Republic's highest military circles. Born into the slums, fifteen year old Day is the country's most wanted criminal. But his motives may not be as malicious as they seem.

From very different worlds, June and Day have no reason to cross paths- until the day June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day becomes the prime suspect. Caught in the ultimate game of cat and mouse, Day is in a race for his family's survival, while June seeks to avenge Metias' death. But in a shocking turn of events, the two uncover the truth of what has really brought them together, and the sinister lengths their country will go to keep its secrets.

Review: Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins

Title: Spell Bound
Author: Rachel Hawkins

Series: Hex Hall #3
Publisher: Hyperion
Release Date: March 13, 2012
Pages: 327 pages
Age: YA
Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Just as Sophie Mercer has come to accept her extraordinary magical powers as a demon, the Prodigium Council strips them away. Now Sophie is defenseless, alone, and at the mercy of her sworn enemies- the Brannicks, a family of warrior women who hunt down the Prodigium. Or at least that's what Sophie thinks, until she makes a surprising discovery. The brannicks know an epic war is coming, and they believe Sophie is the only one powerful enough to stop the world from ending. But without her magic, Sophie isn't as confident.

Sophie's bound for one hell of a ride -- can she get her powers back before it's too late?

Review: Tiger's Quest By Colleen Houck

Title: Tiger's Quest
Author: Colleen Houck

Series: The Tiger Saga #2
Publisher: Sterling Publishing
Release Date: June 7, 2011
Pages:  479 pages - Hardback
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Back in Oregon, Kelsey tries to pick up the pieces of her life and push aside her feelings for Ren. But danger lurks around the corner, forcing her to return to India where she embarks on a second quest-- this time with Ren's dark, bad-boy brother Kishan, who has also fallen prey to the Tiger's Curse.

Review: Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Title: Uglies
Author: Scott Westerfled

Series: Uglies #1
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: May 3, 2011
Pages:  406 pages
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Tally Youngblood is about to turn sixteen, and she can't wait for the operation that turns everyone from a repellent ugly into a stunningly attractive pretty and catapults you into a high-tech paradise where your only job is to party. But new friend Shay would rather hoverboard to "the smoke" and be free. Tally learns about a whole new side of the pretty world and it isn't very pretty. The "Special Circumstances" authority Dr. Cable offers Tally the worst choice she can imagine: find her friend and turn her in, or never turn pretty at all. The choice Tally makes changes her world forever.

My Thoughts:
I really liked Uglies. I think it had a great message to it. Looking just like everyone else is not all it's cracked up to be. Appreciate who you are & the looks you do have.
I liked seeing Tally's personal journey from being this girl ready & willing to follow in the societal footsteps of everyone else to being a teen who sees there's another way to live. Her best friend Shay leaves her and she becomes okay with that... until she's told she can no longer have the life she wants unless she makes the hard decision to track & give up her best friend. You see her journey to find Shay and her inner struggle with the right & wrong of becoming a Pretty. Seeing her change and choose how she wants to live her life is amazing, but of course things don't go the way she planned.
 Shay's character was fun also. Everyone wants a best friend who's fun and willing to take a few risks. But when Tally met Shay, she had no idea that she would change her whole life. Shay is the one who always wants to rebel against society & Tally doesn't want to push the boundaries. They are both easy characters to connect to emotionally & the story really pulls you in. I'm excited to continue Tally's story and see what happens next.

Recommend:
I highly recommend Uglies to everyone. It's a great dystopian that really makes you think about our world and the importance we place on looks.

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Review: Cinder By Marissa Meyer

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer

Series: Lunar Chronicles #1
Publisher: Feiwel & Freinds
Release Date: January 3, 2012
Pages:  387 pages
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Humans & androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space,a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth's fate hinges on one girl.

Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg.She's a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother & blamed for her stepsister's illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome prince Kai's, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, & a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty & freedom, loyalty & betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world's future.

My Thoughts:
Cinder was amazing! Not your typical fairy tale retell. I like that Meyer took the basics of the story we know and completely gave them a fresh new take. Cinder is still a stepchild with two stepsisters & a dead stepfather and her only friend is not a human (or cyborg in her case). I also like the fact that this was a science fiction book. Having Cinder be a cyborg made it more interesting. It was fun to imagine the situations where she should have been blushing but couldn't, or should have been crying but couldn't. It made you feel for her more. Besides Cinder, my favorite character was Iko. Her personality was amazing even though she was just an android. She made me want an android of my own just like her. The setting of this book was very cool. Instead of being in some small, overcrowded town in the middle of nowhere, the story takes place in New Beijing. It's easy to picture what that place looks like in the story.
I loved reading about Cinder's journey of self discovery. She always knew that she was a cyborg, a mix of human & machine. But it was interesting to watch her find out about where she actually came from and who her family is. Especially since half her adopted family wants nothing to do with her. She learns of her importance and how she can help with the plague that is killing off tons of humans on the Earth while struggling with her feelings for the prince, who has come to have feelings for her as well.
I'm very glad that Meyer kept to the original story and only had one love interest. Nowadays every ya book has a love triangle & it's getting to be a tad annoying. It's refreshing to read a book where two people are focused on just each other.

I can't wait for the second book in the series, Scarlet. This one will be a somewhat retelling of little red riding hood that also continues the story of Cinder. I know it's going to be just as amazing!

Recommend:
I highly recommend this book to anybody. It was a fun read and kept my interest the whole time. You could really connect to Cinder's character.

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Review: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher

Series: Not a series
Publisher: Razorbill
Release Date: October 18, 2007
Pages:  288 pages - Hardback
Age: Mature YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and  crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, author Jay Asher weaves and intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

My Thoughts:
This books is crazy because this is such a real life story. We all know this is a fictional story, but it could have just as easily been a true story. It really touched me.
The entire time I read this book I felt so bad for Hannah. I truly wanted for something to go right & stay right in her life. Every time something seemed to be good, a negative consequence would come from it. Then she pushed away the one thing that could have stayed good in her life, Clay.
I couldn't imagine being Clay. Listening to tape after tape and hearing all the stories, wondering where you come in and how. I don't know about those of you who read the book before me, but I could connect with Clay and feel the emotions that he felt as he went through the tapes.
This book may just make you look at people, and yourself, in a different way from now. Do you see yourself in one of the characters? Did you have the power to stop something bad but didn't? The book makes us look at ourselves and how we treat others. You never know how something that seems so trivial could be something so monumental to somebody else.

Recommend:
I recommend this book to everybody. It's a great reason to start a discussion about real life topics.

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Review: Tiger's Curse by Eileen Houck

Title: Tiger's Curse
Author: Eileen Houck

Series: Tiger Saga #1
Publisher: Splinter
Release Date: May 1, 2012
Pages:  456 pages - Paperback
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300 year old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.
But that's exactly what happened. 
Face to face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together and ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.
Packed with magic, action-adventure, and romance, the epic Tiger's Curse series will keep you breathless and yearning for more.

My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed Tiger's Curse. It sorta kinda reminded me of Alladin, in the sense that Princess Jasmine had a pet Tiger and Ren, the tiger in the book, is somewhat of a pet. He's actually a circus tiger, and Kelsey helps to take care of him. I thought this book was pretty funny. It had lots of funny moments and kept me wanting to turn the page. The romantic side of this book was also interesting. Could you imagine building a connection with a tiger and finding out later that he's actually a man?? Well that's what happens to Kelsey. Ren slowly start developing feelings for Kelsey but it's hard for her to return them because she can't really see past the tiger Ren and see the man Ren.
I also liked the sneaky, educational characteristic of the book. You got to learn a few Italian words & phrases from the circus owner and you get to learn some Indian ones from Ren and Mr. Kadam. I thought that was very cool. Especially since I'm in the process of learning Italian right now.
The overall plot of the story was interesting to me. The fact that Ren is this extremely old tiger and has been that way for decades is crazy! He hasn't been able to change into human form in so long and now that he has that ability again he's on a quest to break the curse that was placed on him & his brother. They way that they get Kelsey to come help is kind of mean. She gets tricked into coming along before she really gets to know the truth, but once she does know the truth about things she agrees to help.
The adventures that kelsey and Ren go on in this book are nuts. They spend days in the jungle, search through old places for things & clues they don't fully understand, get chased by weird creatures and so much more. I'm honestly not sure I'd be willing to go through all of that. I'm not much of an outdoors girl.
Overall, the book was a great read and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

Recommend:
I would definitely recommend this book! It's full of mystery, adventure and of course there's a budding love in there. Who doesn't love a story like that?

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Review: Infinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Title: Infinity
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon

Series: Chronicles of Nick #1
Publisher: St. Martin Griffin
Release Date: May 25, 2010
Pages: 464 pages
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

At fourteen, Nick Gautier thinks he knows everything about the world around him. Streetwise, tough and savvy, his quick sarcasm is the stuff of legends... until the night when his best friends try to kill him. Saved by a mysterious warrior who has more fighting skills than Chuck Norris, Nick is sucked into the realm of the Dark-Hunters: immoral vampire slayers who risk everything to save humanity.

Nick quickly learns the human world is only a veil for a much larger and more dangerous one: a world where the captain of the football team is a werewolf and the girl he has a crush on goes out at night to stake the undead. But before he can even learn the rules of this new world, his fellow students are turning into flesh eating zombies. And he's next on the menu.

As if starting high school isn't hard enough... now Nick has to hide his new friends from his mom, his chainsaw from the principal, and keep the zombies and the demon Simi from eating his brains, all without getting grounded or suspended. How in the world is he supposed to do that?

My Thoughts:
I had a great time reading this book, the main character Nick has a pretty interesting life to read about. You get a nice laugh over the struggles & interactions that he has with other people around him and himself. I have never read a book with such a sarcastic teen & it was nice. He had a comeback for anything anybody would say to him. You could never catch him off guard.
Since the book is essentially a zombie book I guess I should say a bit about them haha. Honestly, I thought they were kind of cool. Not your typical, nasty, smelly, living dead zombies. They were average teens who... well, played a game. And because the zombies came about, that opened the door for Nick to come in contact with other creatures he never even knew existed. The crazy part was that they were always in his face.
The characters and storyline together make a wonderful book and I can't wait to finish the second book.

Recommend:
I'd recommend this book to pretty much anybody. It's pretty engaging and funny with lots of sarcasm. Not your average zombie book.

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Review: Spirits of Glory by Emily Devenport

Title: Spirits of Glory
Author: Emily Devenport

Release Date: October 24, 2010
Pages: 145 pages
Age: General
Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

One morning, the people of the North woke up and the people of the South were gone. That's the first thing every child learns on the colony world of Jigsaw. But for one girl, knowing about The Disappearance is not enough. Hawkeye wants to know why. That's why she spent half her life researching The Disappearance. And that's also why eight Nieghbors show up on her doorstep, demanding that she accompany them into the Forbidden Cities rules by the Southern Gods - to speak with the Spirits of Glory. Everyone thinks Hawkeye is an expert on Neighbors, these almost-humans who move, talk, and think as if they were born inside one of the Time Fractures. But she can't imagine what they want to ask the ghosts of their ancestors, or why they need her to go along. The Southern gods caused every human inhabitant of the Southern cities to disappear overnight - what else might they do?

But the Northern gods say Hawkeye should go - and her curiosity won't let her refuse, even though she's going into more danger than she can imagine. Pain & puzzlement wait along the broken interstate, along with scavengers who want to kill them all. Hawkete's questions only generate more questions as they move farther & farther into the South, right into the heart of the Disappearance, until Hawkeye's questions have all been answered.
Even the ones she was afraid to ask.

My Thoughts:
This was not a standout book to me. I got confused on some things and had to go back and reread parts to understand. Even though the overall story was okay, no part of this book really jumped out and grabbed my attention. There were aspects I liked, such as the two pets that could somewhat speak and the concept of the Time Fractures. I thought that was pretty cool.
I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't get into it.

Recommend:
I personally wouldn't recommend this book to people. I finished it but it didn't really grab my attention.

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Review: Crank by Ellen Hopkins

Title: Crank
Author: Ellen Hopkins
Series: Crank #1
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: October 5, 2004
Pages: 537 pages
Age: Mature YA and Adult
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

This is a story about a monster. Not a dragon or a mythological beast, but a very real, very destructive monster--crystal meth-- that takes hold of seventeen-year-old Kristina Snow and transforms her into her reckless alter-ego Bree. Based on her own daughter's addiction to crystal meth, Ellen Hopkins' novel-in-verse is a vivid, transfixing look into teenage drug use. Told in Kristina's voice, it provides a realistic portrayal of the tortured logic of an addict.

My Thoughts:
I personally loved this book, I read it in two days! I've passed this book a million times in the bookstore but never bought it because of how it's written. Seeing that it was written in verse turned me off, but I went to a friends house and she raved about the book so I borrowed it. I'm so glad I did, the book is great!
Kristina is an interesting character, in the sense that she's really two people. Kristina is good girl who makes good grades and doesn't do anything risky. Bree is her alter ego who thrives on danger & fun. It's interesting to see how Bree emerges and takes control of Kristina's life. How her choices affect Kristina's relationship with her friends & family and affect her schoolwork. This book gave me an inside look into how people get started on drugs and how they think they can control it while their lives are falling apart around them. We get a look at Kristina/Bree's relationships with guys and how those relationships lead her further down the wrong path. We also see how she makes friends that aren't the best people to hang around. I've always wondered why people who are on drugs can't seem to get off them and this book gave me a window into the life of an addict. To know that this was based on a real person's life made it that much more real to me.

Recommend:
I would recommend this book for older teens & adults. The book is about drugs and there is some sex in it as well so I'd say this is a book for more mature teenagers who can handle the subject matter.

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Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Title: Beautiful Creatures
Author: Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Series: Beautiful Creatures AKA Caster Chronicles
Publisher: Little, Brown & Company
Release Date: December 1, 2009
Pages: 563
Age: YA
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power, and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.


Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.
In a town with no surprises, one secret could change everything.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! I have been wanting to read it for so long now and am glad I finally got the chance. I read it in about 4 days, which is good for me.
The love story in the book is unlike one I have come across yet. Majority of the books I read have love triangles where the main person can't make up their minds, but this was different. This story was of two people who wanted only each other. The twist is, they are literally two different types of people who can't really be together but try anyway no matter what people tell them. I loved their stories and their communication.
I also loved the plot. I generally tend to like books about magic & curses and stuff like that. So this story really drew me in. Two teens racing against the clock, or calendar rather, to try and undo or stop and family curse from happening. I found myself getting anxious as things were happening, hoping they wouldn't get caught or could figure out a clue in time. It was a great adventure! Needless to say, I'll be buying the rest of the series as soon as I can.

Recommend:
I definitely recommend this book to any & everyone! If you're bored or looking for a great read, pick this up.

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Review: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Title: Delirium
Author: Lauren Oliver
Series: Delirium Book 1
Publisher: HarperCollins
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Pages: 401
Age: YA - Dystopian
Website Amazon Goodreads

                   Synopsis:

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn't understand that one love- the deliria- blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the governments demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holway has always looked forward to the day when she'll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: 

she falls in love.

My Thoughts:
I loved this book! I had heard so many great things about it that I have been wanting to read it for months now. I finally got some time and read it recently. The book is captivating! It's about a world where love is considered a disease instead of something wonderful! Can you imagine that??
The main character, Lena, in is pretty interesting. Watching her transformation is awesome. She goes from a girl counting down the days until her surgery to a girl who realizes & embraces another way to live. A life where love & freedom is something to be celebrated, not feared. This transformation happens because of a guy she meets named Alex, a guy from The Wilds. He comes along and gives Lena the best summer of her life & shows her a world beyond the fence she's used to. Reading this book makes you think about how precious love & freedom are. Two of the most important things in the world. I can't wait to read book 2, Pandemonium!


Recommend:
I'd recommend this book to anybody that likes dystopian books. It would actually even turn people onto the genre so I'd recommend it to anybody looking for a great read.

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Review: Anthem by Ayn Rand

Title: Anthem
Author: Ayn Rand
Series: standalone
Pages: 90
Genre: Adult Classic
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                   Synopsis:

Rand examines a frightening future in which individuals have no name, no independence, and no values. Equality 7-2521 lives in the dark ages of the future where all decisions are made by a committee, all people live in collectives, and all traces of individualism have been wiped out. Despite such a restrictive environment, the spark of individual thought and freedom still burns in him-- a passion which he has been taught to call sinful. In a purely egalitarian world, Equality 7-2521 dares to stand apart from the herd-- to think and choose for himself, to discover electricity, and to love the woman of his choice. Now he has been marked for death for committing the ultimate sin. In a world where the great "we" reign supreme, he has rediscovered the lost & holy word--"I".

My thoughts:
Anthem is a book I had read back in high school but didn't quite remember. Reading it again was fun. It's a book that makes you think about how our world is. The freedoms & luxuries that we have as humans. The fact that individual thoughts & love aren't considered sins. This is the case for the characters in this book. You see what it's like to live in a world where everything is decided for you & there's no such thing as family. Children are born and never know their parents & mothers never get a single look at their child. You're taught that your only purpose in life is to do the will of your brothers. Anthem is a very thought provoking book.

Recommend:
I personally think that every human on the planet needs to read this book at some point in their life. It would make us all appreciate our freedom more.

Other Reviews:
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Good Books & Good Wine
Book Chatter
Lovely Little Shelf

Review: Intangible

Title: Intangible
Author: J. Meyers
Age rating: E
Pages: 349
Lending: Enabled

Synopsis:

Twins Sera and Luke Raine have a well-kept secret—she heals with a touch of her hand, he sees the future. All their lives they’ve helped those in need on the sly. They've always thought of their abilities as being a gift.

Then Luke has a vision that Sera is killed. That gift they've always cherished begins to feel an awful lot like a curse. Because the thing about Luke’s ability? He’s always right.

And he can’t do anything about it.

Review:
I must say that this is a truly great book! It's filled with all the things I like: mystery, magic and even romance. If a book doesn't grab me from the beginning then I'm usually apprehensive to continue reading it but this captured me from the very first page. The plot of the book was very creative. It gave a new spin to the usual tales of mythical creatures; vampires, elves, pixies etc. These creatures co-exist in a world all their own but can freely live in ours.
The two main characters of the book Sera & Luke are very interesting as well. They take twin telepathy to a whole new level since they actually share powers, one can see the future and the other can heal people. Together they make a pretty good team, but nobody knows what they can do. They keep it a secret from everybody. These twins are in high school and have their own little group of friends, two friends actually. This is because nobody else seems to fit in with them. Little do they know that their two friends actually have special powers of their own, they have kept it secret as well.
If you haven't heard of this book then you definitely need to check it out. I'd recommend it to anybody looking for a great read. It captures your attention and holds it the entire time.

3 Bookmarks= Finished & in Novel Utopia

Interview:

1. What made you want to become an author?

I've always loved creating things--as an actor, singer, portrait artist, baker, and knitter. Once I fell in love with writing, it became another place were I could create something out of nothing.  

2. Where did you get the idea for this book? 

My original idea was of a girl who could heal with a touch of her hand, and that was inspired by Reiki, a hands-on alternative healing method. After flipping through some superhero books, I became enamored with the idea of teens everywhere cropping up with superhuman abilities. It grew and changed as I wrote.

3. Did you intend for this to be the first in a series & how many books will it have?

Yes, this is the first in the series, but it is a complete story unto itself as well. I have two or three more books planned out and could see writing companion books/series or even novellas. The world within Intangible is really limitless with book possibilities.

4. If you could have a special gift what would it be?

Healing. My brother has an incurable form of cancer and I'd heal him in a heartbeat if I could.

5. What has been your favorite YA book or series so far & what book or series are you excited to read?

I *loved* The Attolia series by Megan Whalen Turner. I'm excited to read the last book of the Hunger Games trilogy that I've had on my shelf for about two years (ever since it came out). I loved the first two books, but got busy with my own book, so never read the third one. I think I need to go back and read the first two again as a reminder before reading Mockingjay. Looking forward to it!

6. What is the one thing or message you'd like your readers to get from your books?

I just hope they enjoy their time in my world. :-)

7. What advice do you have for those who would like to be authors someday?

Read! Read, read, read, and read some more. Immerse yourself in whatever genre you want to write to find the good and the bad (you need both to learn how to do it well yourself). Then write the book you want to read, regardless of trends. 

This or That
1. Indoors or outdoors              Outdoors
2. Ice cream or frozen yogurt    Chocolate Sorbet ;-)3. Girly or tomboyish                Tomboyish, definitely 4. Early bird or night owl           Night owl when I'm writing, early bird because of my kids :-)

Thanks for the opportunity to read your amazing book!

Thanks so much, Avanti! It's been a real pleasure, and I'm thrilled you enjoyed reading it. :-)

Intangible is available for purchase on Amazon for $3.99 Kindle edition and $9.99 paperback. Get your copy today!

Review: Midnight Frost #5

Title: Midnight Frost
Author: Kailin Gow
Pages: 262
Age Rating: E
Publisher: theEDGEbooks.com

The Frost series is a series I've been following for a while now. It's very engaging, entertaining and a quick read. Every book before it held my attention very well and this installment didn't disappoint.

Breena, Logan and Kian face lots of adventure and danger in this book just like the others. A legendary hero resurfaces to help end the war and many people step up as leaders to do their part as well. You see many creatures of Feyland come together to save the land they love. It's amazing to read this story because I can visualize everything that's happening.
Of course, you can't leave out the love story that's woven throughout the series. Breena is truly in love with Kian but she's also in love with and currently engaged to Logan. This happened previously in the story when she was under the love spell. Only a few people know about the spell which causes awkward moments between the three when it's brought up. Logan's wolves believe that the engagment is real and they are happy to welcome Breena. Of course that means Breena must openly show love & affection for Logan which doesn't sit well with Kian. Breena is in love with both guys and knows she must eventually choose between the two but doesn't want to do so while the war is going on. To save one of them from feeling the heartbreak while having to fight alongside her. At the end of the war though, she finally reveals the choice she has made. She regrets having to hurt one guy but knows that she is perfectly happy with her choice.

I personally can't wait to read the next three books Frost Fire, Spring Frost & Enchanted Frost (coming Fall 2012)

Rating: 3 bookmarks: Finished & In Novel Utopia!

Review: Voices of Angels & Author Interview

Title: Voices of Angels
Author: Hannah M. Davis
Age Rating: M
Publisher: O- Books

Book Synopsis:
When Lizzie Fisher sees a black mark above her teachers head, she has no idea how much it will change her life. Seven days later the teacher is dead and Lizzie must come to terms with a frightening new ability: she sees when people are about to die. Sent to Andalucia to live with a grandmother she has never met, Lizzie falls in love with gifted musician, Rafa. All seems well until one day the black mark appears above her grandmother’s head. Horrified, Lizzie finds herself in a race against time to find out what the gift really means. Will Rafa help her? And can she save her grandmother’s life before it’s too late?


Review:
This has quickly become one of my favorite books! It's a great coming of age story about a 15 year old girl who doesn't quite fit with the world she's living in. That is, until she gets a change of scenery. The main portion of this book takes place in a beautiful location called Andalucia. The main character of this story, Lizzie, is a very interesting person. She is your average teenage girl who wants nothing more than to get along with her peers instead of being teased by them. Things seem to get even worse for her once she discovers that she has a special gift. Although that's not exactly what she would call it. When she gets to Andalucia she begins to embrace who she is & love herself for being different, until a piece of her past shows & threatens to upstage her. That piece is her ex-best friend turned enemy Bee. Bee is that girl in school that has everything. The girl all the guys want to be with and all the girls want to be, but she isn't the nicest person. In fact, she's usually pretty mean to Lizzie. Constantly teasing her for being different.
This is a great coming of age story because we can see Lizzie's journey of finding who she is, learning to love herself and even finding love. Speaking of that, the guy Rafa is one interesting dude. He and Lizzie don't always see eye to eye but he begins to teach Lizzie to live with passion and follow her emotions on things, to truly feel things with her heart. To always do what feels right in the moment. I think every girl needs a Rafa in their life! 
Overall, I loved this book! It's a great inspirational book and I'm sure everyone would enjoy it. 


3 Bookmarks= Finished & in Novel Utopia!




Check Out this fabulous interview with the author herself!

• Where did the idea for Voices of Angels come from?

Strangely, it came from a dream I had - about a boy who could speak to angels. I think it was my own little bit of psychic awareness going on! Actually in the very first draft of the book, Lizzie was a 12 year old boy called Jake. Then I decided to rewrite it from a 15 year girl point of view just because it was easier for me to get under her skin a lot more. I always knew I wanted to write a book about all the unseen things in life - like what happens when you die, are there angels and ghosts etc? That part of life which is hidden fascinates me.

• What or who were the inspirations for the main characters?

I think Lizzie represents a lot of teen girls (and adult women!) who lack a little bit of self esteem. This really bugs me because Western Society has such enormous expectations of what girls should look like and how they should be. I just wanted to capture someone who was more real. So Lizzie is probably a younger, more insecure version of me and Ariadne is the me I want to be when I am older - well traveled, wise and loved for eternity.  I don't really know where Rafa came from  . . .he kind of wrote himself! But I do like a real man who is in touch with his soul. 

• Did anything in the book come from your real life experiences?

I've lived in Spain for about 10 years so the parts in Spain came from my direct experience of living here. I love this country because of its passion and intensity.  I am a little bit psychic but I don't have the ability to foresee death. Thank goodness! Not sure I could handle her gift. 

• The passion between Lizzie & Rafa came across very real & intense. How were you able to convey that so well?

This question made me smile. Not really sure how to answer that! I guess for me living and loving are intense experiences. When I do something I do it body, heart and soul and that includes love.  I love writing about emotions and passion because it 's so alive. They can be overwhelming sometimes - especially when we fall in love - and it's amazing to try and capture them in words. Although I'm not sure words can ever truly capture what we feel - but I can try my hardest! 

• Can you give us a tiny bit about Lizzie's journey over the next two book?

Well, there is a shock death at the start of book 2! But the main thing that is going to happen is that Lizzie's psychic ability is going to awaken big time. She's going to meet up with some other psychics and go on a journey - both emotional and physical. Book 2 is going to be a lot darker - I want to explore the dark side of the soul and then book 3 she's awakens to who she truly is. Oh and there's going to be a rival love interest too - more of a spiritual union than a physical union so it's going to be really really tough to decide who she is going to end up with. I don't even know yet!

• What is the main message you want readers to take from this book?

Believe in yourself.  Always always believe in yourself and know you are infinitely special.

• I can see this book being made into a movie, what are your thoughts on that?

Oh yes, I love that you asked that! My boyfriend is psychic and has already predicted it. It's my next big intention - to land a megabucks Hollywood film deal.

Plus I used to work in the London film industry reading film scripts for a living. So I have this innate ability to write visually and think filmically. But yes, I love that you said that because that's what I'd love to happen to this trilogy.

• Why is your favorite word infinity?

Because it means forever. Even when our physical bodies go - we're still around floating around in time and space. In fact, the trilogy is called The Infinity Trilogy. Nothing ever really dies. 

A quick game of this or that!

• Spain or America

Spain but only because I've lived here so long. I love America too and I can see myself spending time out there soon. . .  when the film deal comes in!

• Curly or straight hair

Wavy. ;)

• Spending or saving

I have to confess as much as I'd love to be a saver, I do tend to be a spender but I am trying to save. 

• Indoors or outdoors

Outdoors living all the way.

• Messy or tidy

Tidy -except my tables. They always tend to be cluttered.

If you haven't already done so, go ahead and get yourself a copy of Voices of Angels. You won't regret it!

Review: Rot & Ruin by Jonathon Maberry

Title: Rot & Ruin
Author: Jonathan Maberry
Pages: 464
Age Rating: M
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers




Synopsis from Amazon:
It’s been 14 years since First Night, when the dead came back to life. Six billion people have died (and reanimated) since then, and America has collapsed into isolated communities living within the great “Rot and Ruin.” Benny is 15, which means it’s time to get a job or face cut rations, but his general laziness leaves him with only one employment option: join his stuffy, sword-swinging, Japanese half-brother, Tom, as an apprentice bounty hunter. This means heading beyond the gates to slice and dice “zoms,” but Benny quickly begins to see the undead in a new light—as well as realizing that Tom is much more than he ever let on.

Rot & Ruin is a book I had been looking forward to reading for a while. It was sitting on my shelf begging to be read and finally I obliged. I am sooo glad I did. This book is amazing! It captivated me from the very beginning, it's a true page turner. You are easily able to connect with the characters and their emotional journey, all of us have had secret crushes and fights with our siblings.

One thing I loved about this book was that even though some characters were only 15, they had real raw & deep emotions. There world is not & possibly will never be like the world we know today and they know it. You get to see them battle feelings of staying in their comfort zone & wanting more from their life & world. You also get to see them grow in maturity over the course of the book. It's an amazing journey considering the time frame of the book is only about a month or so. You see them evolve from having a teenagers maturity to that of an adult.

Another thing about this book is that it's focused around the subject of the living dead, only this isn't your typical zombie book. This looks at zombies from another angle. One of "humaness" (yes I do believe I have created a word). This book shows that zombies are people too, or that they used to be. They have families who love them and grieve for them. It's not their fault that they are the way they are. In most movies you see zombies being killed left & right in all kinds of ways, but this book looks into another way to do it. One very hard, emotional way to do it. I must say I am a bit of a sap & I have teared up once or twice reading this book. One of those times being at the end.

Rating: 3 Bookmarks - Finished & in Novel Utopia!

I gave this book an age rating of a M just for the fact that the book did have a few curse words here & there and there were 15 year old boys with raging hormones :-). If you're looking for a great book to curl up with & read over a weekend then I highly suggest this one.