Going Bovine by Libba Bay

Title: Going Bovine

Author: Libba Bay

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Rating: 4 stars


"You've been assigned an identity since birth. Then you spend the rest of your life walking around in it to see if it really fits. You try all these different selves and abandon just as many. But really, it's about dismantling all that false armor, getting down to what's real."

Mad, crazy and hilarious. That's Going Bovine for you, dear bloggers. This book tells about Cameron, an average teenage boy diagnosed with mad cow disease and gone to a journey to find a cure under the guidance of a punk angel and accompanied by a dwarf and yard gnome. Yes, yard gnome.

It starts off a bit slow by telling how Cameron lives his life. He's pretty much an ignorant who doesn't care about most anything; his school, his family, and even himself. Then he is diagnosed with mad cow disease and finds out that his life is soon to be over. Then a punk angel named Dulcie shows up and tells him there's a cure and Cameron must undergo a journey (by following random signs) to find Dr. X who has the cure. Oh, and he has to take the dwarf as his wingman.

Like I said, it starts off a bit slow and I didn't really enjoy the first quarter part however the story picks up the pace and gets more interesting along the way. Especially after Cameron and Gonzo hit the road. Their road trip is crazy and hilarious; they meet a lot of bizarre people: drag queen, a supposedly dead jazz artist, teen pop star, snow globe employees, and many more. I can't say much except thumbs up for Libba Bay for creating this, she surely has a very wide and lively imagination.

However, even though it's funny and wacky, it's also quite deep. Despite all the craziness, I - as a reader - am constantly reminded with Cameron dying situation and how he realizes the things that important for him during the trip. How he - toward the end - values life and enjoys living more than before. The only thing I don't really like is the present tense use in this book, I like past tense more. But it doesn't prevent me from liking and enjoying this hilarious story.

It's an awesome book, just be patient in the beginning and you'll be rewarded.

Lynossa

Going Bovine by Libba Bay

The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

Title: The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2)

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books

Rating: 4 stars

This is the second book of Chaos Walking trilogy. If you haven't read the first book I suggest you to not continue reading this. You can read my review on The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1) instead.

My hearing's still gone so I feel it more than hear it, feel the rumble thru the dirt, feel the air pulse with three hard vibrashuns, one right after the other, and I see the Mayor turn his head suddenly back toward the town, see Davy and all the Spackle do the same.
More bombs.
In the distance, toward the city, the biggest bomb that've ever exploded in the history of this world.

Trapped in Haven, Todd would do anything to keep Viola alive, including followed everything Mayor Prentiss asked him to do. Meanwhile, separated from Todd, Viola was under the care of Mistress Cole. When Mistress Cole decided to stand up against Mayor Prentiss and re-created The Answer, Mayor Prentiss replied back with The Ask. Todd and Viola wedged between the feud and had to decide which side they were on. Until they realized no one on their side, and they had to stand up from themselves.

After reading the first book, the weird misspelling no longer bother me. I'd also made several mental preparation of what I might encounter in this book. I must say the preparation worked because the book is bleak and depressing. It wasn't bad or anything, it just very depressing because everytime there was a hope, it was crushed over and over again. Most of the time I felt annoyed with Todd; he seemed couldn't decide what he should do and he couldn't control his temper all the time. However it was quite understandable as Viola is his anchor and when she's not there with him, he was lost. It was sad how he insecure he was; how he constantly worried that Viola left him . But I get it that underneath all that, he was a sweet boy and he was hurt as much as he hurt others.

I wish the last book will be brighter and give me some happy ending because it was just depressing despite still being awesome. For those who have read the first book and wonder whether you should read the second or not, I think you should but prepare yourself for the emotion ride that Mr. Ness seems to be good at creating it.

Lynossa

The Ask and The Answer (Chaos Walking #2) by Patrick Ness

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Title: Cryer's Cross

Author: Lisa McMann

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children Publishing

Rating: 3 stars

A small and quiet town, Cryer's Cross, was shocked when a teenage girl went missing. The townfolks searched everywhere and couldn't find a clue, until they finally gave up and returned to their normal life. But Kendall, a teenage girl with OCD, couldn't ignore it and pretend it didn't affect it. Especially after her boyfriend, Nico, went missing as well. What happened in Cryer's Cross? Was the missing teens has anything to do with the newcomers? Or was it about old secret that was hidden for years?

I actually had high hopes on this book. I've read many reviews and it sounded very good. Perhaps that's the problem with too much exposure; you expect too much. It doesn't mean I think this book is bad; it was okay however I expect more from it. It suppose to scare me but I didn't feel that way at all.

One thing that keeps me reading is the main character, Kendall. It so fascinating for me to read the point of view of an OCD; it makes me knows more about OCD and how it affects people who have it. For those who like psychology element in a book, I think you might like this.

Lynossa

Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

Changeling and The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Changeling is a part of Celtic Mythology; according to the tale, faeries like to switch human baby with their own sick baby. What happens after that? Some said the human babies were eaten, some said they were raise in faerie world. Most of the stories centered around the human baby, but in The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff, the main character is the faerie baby.

Title: The Replacement

Author: Brenna Yovanoff

Publisher: Razorbill

Rating: 4 stars

In small town Gentry, Mackie Doyle is dying. he's allergic to iron, blood, and consecrated ground. He is a replacement that left in a crib of a human baby sixteen years ago. Despite his origin, he would give anything to live among us, to play music and spend time with Tate, an intriguing girl. But when Tate's baby sister goes missing and a faerie baby left in her place is dead, willing or not Mackie is drawn into the Mayhem and finally accept his true nature.


I love this book. I seriously love this. The dark elements in it is just perfect in its portion. although at first I was annoyed by Mackie who seemed couldn't grow backbone, eventually he stepped out and be the person Tate knew he is. He didn't turn into some kind of superhero, but he is hero in a way. Other characters are great as well; I like Mackie's friends and family. Not only that by I also fell in love with Mayhem; okay it's creepy, seriously creepy but it also awesome in its creepiness. The characters in it are so scary, I probably fainted on the spot if I met them in dark alley. You have to read this!

Lynossa


I'm going to giveaway a copy of this book or Mistwood by Leah Cypess, depend on your choice. All you need to do is fill the form HERE. It opens internationally and ends at July 25. Good luck!

Changeling and The Replacement by Brenna Yovanoff

Shapeshifter: Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Shapeshifter is an ability to shift into any creature - animal and mystical creature. This power usually held by creature from Otherworld or spirit. I took fancy of shapeshifter after I played Neverwinter Nights and one of the Druid's ability is shapeshifting into animals of other magical creatures such as golem or balor. I won plenty fights using this ability :D

In Celtic Mythology, there are several stories about shapeshifter. The most notably is the legend of Kelpie. Kelpie is an Otherworld creature who could shapeshift itself into anything it wants; man or animal. Although its favorite form is a white horse. It lured people to ride it and then took them into the lake to the Otherworld. There's also mythology about shapeshifter as the one portrayed by Leah Cypess in this story; a magical forest spirit who could turn itself into any animal and possessed huge power that man can't compete.

Title: Mistwood

Author: Leah Cypess

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (HarperCollins)

Rating: 4 stars

Isabel is a shapeshifter, she lived in Mistwood until Prince Rokan caught her. The Prince bound her and asked her to serve and protect her, just like she did to all kings in the past. The problem is, Isabel had lost her memories; she didn't remember what happened in the past and why she's in Mistwood instead of  guarding the king's family. Not only that, she also couldn't shapeshift inside the castle. What had happened in the past? Why people seemed relieved that she couldn't remember anything? And what should she do when someone showed up and claimed to be the real prince?

I really like this book. I'm always fascinated with Celtic Mythology and shapeshifter is part of it. For me it seems so romantic yet terrifying that one is able to shift into any creature one wants. Shapeshifter aside, I like this book because of the strong main character; I had enough with damsel in distress and Isabel is definitely not. I liked her initial cold and intimidating attitude but I also enjoyed her development, especially after she realized her true nature. Other characters are also interesting; especially Clarisse. Even though Isabel can't stand her, the truth is they are quite similar. Rokan is very human; I like the way Leah Cypess didn't make him overly handsome or overly powerful. He surprisingly very human with all the doubts and flaws.

If you like shapeshifter like me and had a thing for a strong kickass main character who don't need men to rescue her every five seconds, you'll love this book.

Lynossa

I will giveaway a copy of this book, the details will follow later!

Shapeshifter: Mistwood by Leah Cypess

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Iron Daughter
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey #2
Pages: 359 Pages (Paperback)
(Goodreads)

Release date: August 1st 2010
Published by: Harlequin Teen

Summary:

Half Summer faery princess, half human, Meghan has never fit in anywhere. Deserted by the Winter prince she thought loved her, she is prisoner to the Winter faery queen. As war looms between Summer and Winter, Meghan knows that the real danger comes from the Iron fey—ironbound faeries that only she and her absent prince have seen. But no one believes her.

Worse, Meghan's own fey powers have been cut off. She's stuck in Faery with only her wits for help. Trusting anyone would be foolish. Trusting a seeming traitor could be deadly. But even as she grows a backbone of iron, Meghan can't help but hear the whispers of longing in her all-too-human heart.

Review:

The Iron Daughter picks up where Winter’s Passage left. Meghan is trapped in the Winter Court because of the deal she made with Ash in the first book. While I loved Ash even more in this book than in the first one, I found myself wanting to strangle Meghan even more in this book than in the first one. I don’t know what happened to the part of her brain that held the memory of their ‘talk’ in Winter’s Passage because in the first few chapters of book two, that part of her brain is obviously wandering off somewhere. Sorry if I offended you, Meghan, but you were really being stupid. There was Ash, being handsome and lovely, but there you were, being stupid and annoying. I would’ve smacked you if I could. But I still heart you. Partly because you have a poster of Escaflowne in your room ;P

But all’s well, ends well! Okay, not really. Meghan regained herself when she and Ash fled from the Winter Court. Puck has woken up from his deep slumber and joined the adventure. Still as faithful to Meghan as ever. He still annoys me but I like him more in TID than in TIK. And Ash decided that he had to find the scepter in his own way. He’s still keen on the law against romance between a Summer and Winter fey. I had to pity Meghan several times. Also, Puck had had his chance on Meghan in this book.

If you loved The Iron King, you will absolutely love The Iron Daughter! You’ll probably love it even more than the first book. The Iron Daughter is packed with more action and adventure. You’ll also get to meet new characters and some characters mentioned from the past. And if you’re an Ash x Meghan fan, you will also definitely, definitely love the last chapter!

Review: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa

Review: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Title: Winter's Passage
Author: Julie Kagawa
Series: Iron Fey #1.5
Pages: 59 Pages (eBook)
(Goodreads)

Release date: May 20th 2010
Published by: Harlequin

Summary:

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

An eBook exclusive story from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey series.

Review:

Winter's Passage picks up exactly where The Iron King ended. This novella tells us the story of Ash and Meghan as they set off on a journey to the Unseelie Court.

With a length of 59 pages, I didn't know what I was expecting when I started reading the e-book. I'm a huge fan of novellas but a journey didn't sound that fascinating to me. But then, my judgment proved to be wrong. Again. As Winter's Passage picked up where The Iron King left, it also picked up the excitement The Iron King brought me. Although in a much lower level, the adventure that Ash and Meghan went through was still exciting and breathtaking.

In this book, aside from adventure and with Puck still unconscious, we also get to see more of Ash and Meghan's struggle with their relationship. This is what I've been waiting to read in The Iron King. And as what I've expected, it totally broke my heart to see Ash get torn between loving Meghan, the princess of Summer Court, and his duty as a prince of the Winter Court.

A couple of very interesting extra characters were introduced in this book as well. I especially loved the one that made a cameo. I didn't expect to see him in the Iron Fey series. But then again, this series is full of surprises! Also, if you think the cover doesn't make sense, wait until you get past the first half then you'll find out why.

Review: Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

Title: Blood Red Road
Series: Dustlands #1
Author: Moira Young
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Expected publication: June 7th 2011
Pages: Hardcover, 512 pages
Rating: 4.5 - Almost Perfect!

Source: Simon and Schusters Galley Grab

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

Saba has spent her whole life in Silverlake, a dried-up wasteland ravaged by constant sandstorms. The Wrecker civilization has long been destroyed, leaving only landfills for Saba and her family to scavenge from. That's fine by her, as long as her beloved twin brother Lugh is around. But when a monster sandstorm arrives, along with four cloaked horsemen, Saba's world is shattered. Lugh is captured, and Saba embarks on an epic quest to get him back.
Suddenly thrown into the lawless, ugly reality of the world outside of desolate Silverlake, Saba is lost without Lugh to guide her. So perhaps the most surprising thing of all is what Saba learns about herself: she's a fierce fighter, an unbeatable survivor, and a cunning opponent. And she has the power to take down a corrupt society from the inside. Teamed up with a handsome daredevil named Jack and a gang of girl revolutionaries called the Free Hawks, Saba stages a showdown that will change the course of her own civilization.
Blood Red Road has a searing pace, a poetically minimal writing style, violent action, and an epic love story. Moira Young is one of the most promising and startling new voices in teen fiction.

Review:

Blood Red Road is an book full of adventure. The adventure start right after Saba’s twin Lugh was taken away by the Crazy King. She sent off to search for him. But It didn’t stop just right there. She encounters many obstacles. She was captured and was forced to fight in the arena. Meet a lot of people who she thinks will only slow her down and encounters a feeling she's not familiar with. Gigantic Worms with claws. And many more.

Saba is fierce fighter. She was force to become independent when she went searching for her brother who she previously depends on. Smart and fearless. Despite her lack of experience in fighting nor knowledge about it. She surprisingly handles everything that was thrown at her. She’s pretty stubborn too. That you as reader would may feel irritated sometimes just like me. Her sister Emmi is exactly like her. Brave, stubborn and fighter she refused to be left alone without a fight. I love each characters here. They are all not the one who complain. They just go and always ready for the worst. I love how mature they are.

The romance and the action are well balanced. They kick ass and even kids do too. That maybe is the thing i like about this book. The gender is never a problem as long as you do know how to fight. Be it old or young. Their adventure just never stops. The plot is well planned. The book is well written Mrs. Young made sure that her readers are well inform. She describes every bits of action and every bits of emotions that flows in the book. To the point that you can’t contain your excitement and then suddenly you want to join Saba in the book and help her. It’s like you are watching a movie inside your head.

The setting. It’s a world where civilization hardly ever exist. People don’t know how to read nor write and how to speak fluently or use the right words or know the right grammar. That said I think it also effects Saba's narration throughout the story. People will do everything to survive their world. Even sell a girl and force them to fight in the arena. The pace is fast. You can never be bore while reading this. Though as the story progresses I come to terms that the first part of the book is more exciting. The rest was..well exciting as well but not much as the first part. As I was able to know how determined Saba was to save her brother from the people who wants to get him. But as her story goes and as she faces more obstacle even though her real goal is to save Lugh. The action was lessen. As the author was focused on building the plot and the setting and as well as the other supporting characters.

The dialect of the book might be a uncomfortable for some of you who wants to read it. As for me, before I could even decide to drop the book it was too late because I am already hooked and all I can do is to continue reading or continue regretting why I didn’t read it. And sooner before I know it I became comfortable with the dialect.

Over all. The plot. The Characters. The adventure. The monsters. The Crazy Villains and the dialect. Wow I never thought I’ll be able to read this all in one book. It gives me a heck of a crazy ride there. I’ll be sure to read the second book.

Kay-c

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Title: The Day Before.
Series: None
Author: Lisa Schroeder
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Expected publication: June 28th 2011
Pages: 320 Hardcover
Rating: 4 - Excellent!

Source: Simon and Schuster Galley Grab

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.
Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.
The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

Review:

I never expected anything from this book. EVER. I thought this would be another boy-meets-girl-in-the-campus-after-running-each-other-in-the-beach thing. But it seems that it proves me wrong. Anyhow I was surprised to know that the story is written in verse. At first I thought that maybe this is a compilation of poetry. Though I do like poem but I was just startled thinking that I might have picked up the wrong galley.

Moving on. I love YA contemporary books such as this one. But I never read any books written by Lisa Schroeder nor books written in verse. So I was reluctant to grab it. But oh well.. I found another good contemporary writer~~

The story is about Amber. Who wants to spent some time alone in the beach where she felt comfortable right before the day her life will change forever. Suddenly when she was strolling around she found Cade. The two suddenly made a connection and soon they spent the whole day together talking about anything but personal things and forgetting the past and thinking about their current situation together. Soon that bond turned to affection. (Honestly? I don’t want to drop anything about this book. It’s too good and I want you guys to read it instead.)

I love Amber and Cade.. Both wants to escape from their current situation at home. When they are together. The two made a deal that while they are together they shouldn’t ask about each others past nor the reason why they spent the whole day away from all the people they know and what they are hiding. But like Amber I also can’t help but wonder what is Cade’s secret that he desperately wants to hide. Cade is sweet and caring guy. And that is what I like about him. I love how close amber and her family is. I love how sweet and loving she is to her mom and sister. Yet she have to leave them.
The plot was fast. The romance between the two is actually fast if you check the timeline. But its perfect in the whole story. And like I said above the way this book was written is unique enough that at first will make you wonder if this book is a compilation of poetry or not. The book reminds me of ‘If I stay’ well in some way. This book gives you different emotions sadness, loneliness, longing, love and satisfaction.

The book is quick read. I finished reading this maybe 2 hour laps. You’ll be also hooked up with the style of writing and a cute plot.

After reading this. I’m will make sure to read Lisa Schroeder books. I recommend this to those people who love Contemporary YA. Maybe to those who love Invincible Summer and If I stay.

Kay-c

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder

Drowning in the Dark by Alisson Karras

Title: Drowning in the Dark

Author: Allison Karras

Publisher: You Come Too Publishing

Rating: 3 stars

Samantha Carver lives with her uncle's family after the death of her father. Although it felt hard for her to adjust, her cousin Terry, always made her feel comfortable. That's why when a girl in her school was killed and Terry was accused to be her murderer, Sam felt her little comfort was torn away, especially because she knew who the murder, or what. Zombie and ghost are new thing for the small seaside town in Oregon but not for Sam, and now she must do something to stop the invasion.

I would give higher rating if only the story was longer and more complex. However it was too short and left me feeling unsettle. Overall the plot was good and the mystery in it was quite interesting. The characters were okay; no one really special except Shane. I think he's the most interesting character in here; when he entered the story, I felt excited. Sam was okay but not special, I've read plenty character similar to her. She develop a little, especially in the way she welcomed her family into her heart, but other than that, nothing much. The action scenes were pretty good albeit a bit rushed especially after Sam gave herself to save Terry.

In short, this is a good story and has many opportunity to develop into better in the future. If you like horror but not a die-hard fan of it and looking for a short reading, this one is for you.

Lynossa

Drowning in the Dark by Alisson Karras

Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

Title: Cinder and Ella
Series: None
Author: Melissa Lemon
Publisher: Bonneville Books
Expected Publication: November 8th 2011
Pages: Paperback, 208 pages
Rating: 3 - Fair enough.

Source: Requested at Net Galley

Goodreads

Summary:

After their father’s disappearance, Cinder leaves home for a servant job at the castle. But it isn’t long before her sister Ella is brought to the castle herself—the most dangerous place in all the kingdom for both her and Cinder. Cinder and Ella is a Cinderella story like no other and one you'll never forget.

Review:

We all know Cinderella’s story. Where there is a fairy godmother who would save our heroine, Two evil step sisters and a step mother who ruined our heroine’s life. And glass shoes that saves her from that evil family and of course a charming Prince who would come to save the day and will have a happily ever after ending. Well..FORGET THAT.

Cinder and Ella is not a fairy tale story we all know. Cinder and Ella are sisters. There was no prince( well not really) , no fairy godmother and no step sisters and mother and no glass shoes.
Cinder and ella belonged to a happy family that consist six members. A mother, father and four sister. They lived happy so far as the story starts until one night the prince arrived to and bewitched their father’s mind and one night he disappeared. Making his family worried and wonder if he still lives. Soon after that, their love for each other has banished and replaced by selfishness and greed. Katrina being the eldest among the four is used about getting what she wanted. Cinder became the servant of her own family , Ella became a stranger and invincible having no one but her beloved sister Cinder to notice her existence and Beatrice is growing to be spoiled brat just like her eldest sister who is used of being served their whole lives. Their mother is busy mending her job and only noticed the three sisters and truly forgotten Ella.

The prologue itself was enough to grab my attention. Knowing what the classic Cinderella tale was. I considere trying this twisted story. At first I don’t understand as to why the prince would actually want Ella either. The plot was a mystery even at first chapter. But all I could do is to read and read and find out why and what did our heroine had done. I was skeptical that maybe I wasn’t really paying much attention. And I was about to go back to page one just so I could understand it fully. But then I decided that maybe I was too early for me to do so since I haven’t even finish half way. So I played detective and maintain the question mark on my head.

The plot was slow. The first half of the book is about introductions and stuff. Nothing interesting going on so far and not much action so I was tempted to skip that part and jump down to the real action scene. But that would ruin the story. The plot was finally revealed in the middle. Even so, the mystery wasn’t solved.

The characters are okay. Villains...well they remain villain and I hate them. The story lacks of action. I kept on yawning and my brain wants to stop reading. But the only thing that drives me from reading are the questions. I wanted to know what happened and how will they solve the problems. In the end the ending wasn’t satisfying. Not all questions was answered. And it just ends up like that like a ‘click’. I was eagerly waiting for the battle between the heroine and the villain. But I didn’t know that by just a single threat the villain will back away. All I could say is. It is indeed not the classic Cinderella with a happy every after. But a different story with no happy ending.'

Kay-c

Cinder and Ella by Melissa Lemon

Just one wish by Janette Rallison

Title: Just one wish
Series: None
Author: Janette Rallison
Publisher: Putnam Juvenile
Pages: Paperback, 272 pages
Rating: 4 - Excellent!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

Seventeen-year-old Annika Truman knows about the power of positive thinking. With a little brother who has cancer, it's all she ever hears about. And in order to help Jeremy, she will go to the ends of the earth (or at least as far as Hollywood) to help him believe he can survive his upcoming surgery.

But Annika's plan to convince Jeremy that a magic genie will grant him any wish throws her a curve ball when he unexpectedly wishes that his television idol would visit him. Annika suddenly finds herself in the desperate predicament of getting access to a hunky star actor and convincing him to come home with her. Piece of cake, right?

Janette Rallison's proven talent for laugh-out-loud humor, teen romance, and deep-hearted storytelling shines in a novel that will have readers laughing and crying at the same time.

Review:

What If you have an adorable little brother who is about to have his operation for his brain tumor in days? What would you do in order to assure him that everything will be alright? Are you going grant his wishes? If so how far will you go?

Just one wish is a story about a sister. Who would do everything for the sake of encouraging his little brother that the surgery will be okay and he will be fine. So in order to do that. She told her little brother that she has a genie and that genie would grant all of his wishes. Then his brother wished to meet his favorite teen actor from California. She then set off an adventure to meet and convince the actor to visit her little brother before the surgery.

I love characters. Annika is a strong willed girl and a reliable big sister. I love how determine she is on granting her little brother’s wish. Even though she knows that she has zero percent on convincing the busy actor. Plus the security is too tight that it’s so impossible to even slip inside the studio and meet him. But even so she didn’t give up. I also like her best friend Madison. She’s supportive to even accompany annika to all craziness she's doing. So does Jeremy, her parents and the Steve. I don’t have anything to say to him. He is an actor what can I say? And I don’t really understands actors even though its well written here. But since I don’t know how being an actor is, I don’t know how to react. But I like him.

The romance is fast paced but you really can’t tell as you read the story. But if you realize the timeline of the story you’ll realize its fast. But oh well it’s cute so I don’t have anything bad to say. The emotions of the characters especially Annika’s family were real and I felt it I was reading the story. There are funny scenes too and it made me laugh like crazy to the point my mother thinks I’m becoming insane. It also has a moral lesson. And If you think about the story really hard. You’ll realize something to it.

This book isn’t like any other story out there like Girl chasing after boy and screaming and all. No. It definitely is not. It’s about the love of a sister to her troubled little brother. And despite all the trouble she is going through she meet someone who is willing to help her to overcome it all. So far I didn’t like the ending. I was really looking forward to a good ending. I’m not gonna spoil you but…oh well.

But despite it all. I enjoyed the story nevertheless. It’s a quick read book that as you start to read it you’ll forgot to let it go. Anyways because of this I sure am adding Janette Rallison in my fave author list.
Kay-c

Just one wish by Janette Rallison

Shine by Lauren Myracle

Title: Shine

Author: Lauren Myracle

Publisher: Amulet Books

Rating: 4 stars

When sixteen-year-old Cat finds out that Patrick, her best friend, falls victim into a vicious hate crime, she decides to find out the culprit. Believes that the culprit is one of her townsfolk, Cat starts an investigation from Patrick's closest circle, including her own big brother. After years hiding inside her own shelf after one faithful incident when she was thirteenth-year-old, Cat braces herself not just to accept the possibility someone near him is capable of doing something so horrible, but also to overcome the shadow of her past that has been affecting the way she sees people and the world. 

Some of you probably know that I'm a fan of mystery. When I found this book on NetGalley, I thought: 'Hey, it seems interesting.' and it turns out it's more than interesting. Set in small southern town where most people are redneck and no one dares to say the world 'gay', Lauren Myracle weaves a mind-blowing story about friendship, minority and how to stand up for what you believe. 

The mystery element in this book isn't as much as I hoped for, toward the end I could guess who's the culprit while Cat still struggling to find out. But I still enjoyed this book, I like books with powerful message and this one is. In America where people claim to be the land of freedom and equality, you will still find towns like Black Creek. A town where you hardly can find black people; where the word gay is forbidden to speak off; when bad things happened to you, it might be because you 'asked' for it. 

The characters are interesting however not so special. Perhaps the most interesting is actually the victim himself; especially because all we know about him is from the eyes of his closest people. We know his past from Cat and along the way, together with Cat, we find out about his life after Cat cut all her friendship but never from himself.

I think this is one book that will not only entertain you but will also open your eyes about many things. If you haven't read it, go read it now!

Lynossa

Shine by Lauren Myracle

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Title: The Gathering
Series: Darkness Rising #1
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Pages: 359 (Hardcover)
(Goodreads)

Release Date: April 12th 2011
Published by: HarperCollins

Summary:

Sixteen-year-old Maya is just an ordinary teen in an ordinary town. Sure, she doesn't know much about her background - the only thing she really has to cling to is an odd paw-print birthmark on her hip - but she never really put much thought into who her parents were or how she ended up with her adopted parents in this tiny medical-research community on Vancouver Island.

Until now.

Strange things have been happening in this claustrophobic town - from the mountain lions that have been approaching Maya to her best friend's hidden talent for "feeling" out people and situations, to the sexy new bad boy who makes Maya feel . . . . different. Combine that with a few unexplained deaths and a mystery involving Maya's biological parents and it's easy to suspect that this town might have more than its share of skeletons in its closet.

Review:

In The Gathering, our protagonists live on a research island with more or less 200 residents. The place is surrounded by forest which is inhabited by cougars, bears and other wild animals. Rafe is the newest guy in town. Nobody knows where he and her sister, Annie, came from. Maya thinks he’s a playboy and a poser. She doesn’t like him all too well. But after one incident in the forest involving Annie, Maya starts to think that there might be more Rafe than meets the eye. But she also couldn’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding a deadly secret. A secret that, maybe, has something to do with her own past.

The Gathering is the first book in the Darkness Rising series, a companion series to The Darkest Powers series. The Gathering focuses mainly on world-building, so the plot is rather slow-moving. There were a lot of questions that arose from the first half of the book alone, but unfortunately, most of them were not answered. In fact, after reading this book, I got more questions than answers. So this actually feels like an introduction or a prologue to the real first chapter, which is the second book.

The characters are likable enough, though it was a little hard to connect with them at first. Daniel, Maya’s bestfriend, for me was a little unrealistic. He’s too serious, sure, mature and responsible for his age. Maya’s other bestfriend, Serena, who was also Daniel’s girlfriend died a year before but Maya still mourns for her loss. Maya likes tending to injured animals and they seem to heal faster when she’s around. She is witty and sarcastic but tends to be unforgiving to people who have shown her their bad side.

The only (two) thing(s) that ruined this book for me was the whole “mysterious, new guy that the female protagonist should avoid but is too hot to resist” she-bang. I usually don’t mind books with this kind of character, but there was this book I recently read that has the same idea which I really didn’t like. And now, it has affected the part of my brain that says that those type of characters are okay. The plot is very predictable too. It lacked a great deal of suspense.

Review: The Gathering by Kelley Armstrong

Freefall by Mindi Scott

Title: FreeFall
Series: None
Author: Mindi Scott
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
Pages: Paperback, 315 pages
Rating: 4 Excellent!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

How do you come back from the point of no return?Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn't wake up.
Convinced that his own actions led to his friend's death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.
Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth soon realizes he isn't the only one who needs saving...

Review

Seth McCoy or better known as DICK has been wicked after his best friend’s death last summer, Around months ago. He’s been blaming himself since then. Everybody has moved on except him.

Freefall is a story about :
Letting go.
Moving on.
And Facing your fears.
It focuses on letting go and facing your fears as there are issues here that needs to be done. The story is believable and well made.

Freefall is a fun read. The characters were all good in their own way, the pace was also moderate. The scenes were realistic. The emotions were normal for someone who is still mourning and moving on. The humor was good! It made me laugh in some scenes there. And the romance was kinda cute. I like how Ms. Scott builds the relationship between Seth and Rosetta. It didn’t start of as “boom! They click”. It was a roller coaster yet it’s cute.

Seth’s character is firstly seen as a very disturb guy trying hard to move on and face the reality that his best friend is dead. He became a drunkard and his confidence suddenly went low. Isaac was everything to him. Without Isaac he is simple Seth. Not wild and away from trouble. It sounds best but when Isaac is around he can be himself. But now that he is gone. He became no one. Not obviously himself. But gradually as the story progresses we come to know him well.
Rosetta’s arrival to his life indeed made a big impact to himself. He became aware that there is another world out there waiting to be discovered. And there is someone who needs to be saved.

I bought the book for a several months ago but I shove it aside thinking that I might cry while reading the story. I thought it was a sad story so I prepared myself. The story started off in a bad way. That turned me off. But forced myself to give it a try. So it took me several try outs and I finally decided to stick with it for some time. And Yep it did worked. And I ended up liking the story.

The first thing that bothers me are of course the characters.
The characters were introduced in a not so good way. But at least it made me aware that this book is about teenagers nowadays. Second the Ending. I was glad that Seth’s issue was solved. But I was really looking forward to Rosetta’s. It left me hanging and made me thought that the ending is rushed. But its not. It’s just fine. The story is good that it made me not aware of how far I am nor what time it is. It wasn’t fast. But it’s just well written. I was savored in the story too much to think of letting it go.
I’ll be sure to look for more Mandi Scott’s book.

Kay-c

Freefall by Mindi Scott

Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

Title: Die for Me
Author: Amy Plum
Series: Revenants #1
Pages: 341 (Hardcover)
Source: ARC from NetGalley
(Goodreads)

Published by: HarperTeen
Release date: May 10th 2011

Summary:

My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

Review:

I was really excited to read this book! See the cover? Who wouldn’t want to read a book as gorgeous-looking as that? The prologue itself was enough to grab my attention. I knew then that I was in for a real good treat.

I really love the premise of Die for Me. The characters have very distinctive qualities and the revenants are hot! I love zombies but, good-looking undead French boys?? That is a major plus for me! Plum’s Die for Me is a new take on a paranormal romance. But you know what? Oh, I hate this part. All this didn’t work out for me.

The problem is, the romantic development between Vincent and Kate is too fast. They fell in love just after the first quarter of the book. I didn’t have time to feel giddy and excited during their get-to-know phase. So by the time I reached the first half, their relationship just about annoyed me. They still flirt a lot, but it didn’t work out for me. It also made the whole thing a bit unrealistic. I really wish that Plum took the romance more slowly. And while this book oozed with romance, it lacked a great deal of action. The last quarter of the book made up for the lack of action though, but the predictability kind of cancelled that out.

Despite Vince and Kate’s super fast relationship development, its plot is slow. Some of the events by the second half seemed a little forced as well. I found a plothole too that I hope I just overlooked the answer to; Jean-Baptiste asks the police to hand him the revenants’ corpses in exchange for something every time they die. If this happened one too many times before, don’t the police recognize the revenants’ faces? If you have read or are planning to read this book, do me a favor and try to search for the answers to this.

I had high hopes for Die for Me, but I’m sorry to say that it didn’t quite reach to my expectations. However, I’ll still be on the lookout for its sequel. I’d love to give this book another chance.

Mithee

Review: Die for Me by Amy Plum

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Title: The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)

Author: Patrick Ness

Publisher: Walker Books

Rating: 4 and a half (my maximum score!)

"But a knife ain't just a thing, is it? It's a choice, it's something you do. A knife says yes or no, cut or not, die or don't. A knife takes a decision out of your hand and puts it in the world and it never goes back again. "

Prentisstown isn't like other towns. Everyone can hear everyone else's thoughts in an overwhelming, never-ending stream of Noise. Just a month away from the birthday that will make him a man, Todd and his dog, Manchee - whose thoughts Todd can hear, too, whether he wants to or not - stumble upon an area of complete silence. They find that in a town where privacy is impossible, something terrible has been hidden - a secret so awful that Todd and Manchee must run for their lives.

But how do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought? (from Goodreads.com)

---Warning: Contains lots of spoilers---

Dear Mr. Ness,
When I first decide to read your book, I have no idea what I will encounter. I thought it will be another awesome story with awesome action and awesome characters. And it is true; The Knife of Never Letting Go is an awesome story with awesome action and awesome characters. But apparently it wasn't just that. It didn't stop at being awesome, it went further more beyond awesome, I couldn't even find the right word to describe it. How could you? How could you made me care and abandoned me? how could you made me love and broke my heart? How could you gave me hope and stole it away?

I couldn't even remember when was the last time I felt this way. I've read many great books this year but most of them I could see things coming and I've prepared myself for what will come; but not like this. You've wretched my heart, Mr. Ness.

I always have a thing for loyal non-human sidekick and Manchee was my favorite character and you've made me love him and then you took him away and shattered my heart. You've given me hope when Ben opened his arms and embraced Todd, only to be separated again and also when Todd and Viola finally reached Haven, only to find Aaron on their heels as well.

So thank you Mr. Ness for making me looked like an idiot for shedding tears on the train, for not giving me a warning that this is NOT a train novel, or airport novel, or any public-area novel; that this is the kind of novel that will consume all my mind and attention. And after all that you've done to me, you can guarantee two things for sure, the first one is that I'm going to read The Ask and The Answer PRIVATELY and the second one is you got yourself one devoted fan right here because even after you wretched my heart, just like Todd and Viola, I still have hope.
Though I'm not sure you'll consider yourself lucky or what for that.

Lynossa

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Title: Revolution
Series: None
Author: Jennifer Donnelly
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Pages: Hardcover, 472 pages
Rating: 4

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

REVIEW:

The story is about Andi a girl who happen to fall inlove with the music because of the tragic accident that happened to her family. She takes music a way out. A way to forget it all and to remove the pain she felt.

Andi’s family was in the process of breaking down. And two years ago, it did. When her little brother Truman died, making her mom shocked after losing her son and her dad – just being himself as always. And lastly, her. Copping the pain and blaming herself she then slowly lost the will to live.

Andi is a gifted musician and a wise girl. Who, like I said found the music after her brother’s death. And because of all the things that happened around her. She did everything to learn the cure of her painful reality and that is learning the music. By doing so, she didn't realize or should I say that she doesn't care that she is about to be expelled in her school.

And because of that Andi's dad decided to bring her to paris expecting her to move on and finish her thesis. Instead she found a diary of Alexandrine Paradis who lived when the time of french revolution. The diary is about Alex's experience during the french revolution and it also talks about some secrets that was never revealed and somehow answers to all Andi's questions.

I was caught in Alex's experience just like Andi was. And that is why i find it hard to let go of the book that easily, despite some boring scenes. I wanted to know what happened next. It was kind of fun reading it as well. I mean I get to know the city in some ways.

Revolution is a great book. It gives you full detail of Andi's life and not to mention it brings you the city of Lights, Yes. That's france. It tells about the French revolution. About their missing King and what happened before and after the revolution.



Kay-c

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

Title: Invincible Summer

Author Hannah Moskowitz

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Rating: 4 stars

---May contain some spoilers!---

Chase and the rest of McGill family (his parent, his older brother Noah, his younger sister Claudia, and his younger deaf brother Gideon) always spend summer at the beach together with the Hathaway family. Noah always had a summer fling with Hathaway's oldest daughter, Melinda, and Chase always be the one who act like oldest brother. But things doesn't always stay the same and as they grew older, more problems starting to show up: ranging hormones, puberty, school, and parents. Trying to keep his brother Noah stayed with their family, helping his parent took care Gideon, keeping eye on the more-mature younger sister, Claudia, while pressing his sexual interest toward Melinda, Chase took the changes in one huge gulp and felt devastated by it. This is not a book about romance, this is about a boy who grew up in somewhat dysfunctional family, forced to be mature before his age, and finally learned that no matter what happened, family always comes first.

The cover and the blurb were misleading. I thought it was a summer romance story, but I was mistaken. I was completely blown away by the ending and ended up giving this book 5 stars at Goodreads, however after I remember all the details and my reading progress, I have to drop one stars. That doesn't mean the book sucks though, quite the contrary, this book is awesome. The characters are interesting; the connection between them were real although the bromance between Noah and Chase made me lift my eyebrow a bit. I felt in love with Gideon, Chase's deaf brother, half-amused half-cringed by Claudia's attitude, and curious about what would happened between Chase, Noah, and Melinda.

Invincible Summer by Hannah Moskowitz

In The Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane

Title: In The Arms of Stone Angels


Author: Jordan Dane

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Rating: 4 Stars

He looked thinner, not like the strong boy I remembered. His golden skin that once looked like sweet caramel had turned pale. And someone had cut his long black hair to make him conform to what they thought he should be. If White Bird knew what they'd done, he would have fought them. And I would have given anything to see the fire in his eyes again. But in his condition, he had no fight left...
.... 
"Oh, my God. What have they done to you?" I whispered, not recognizing my own voice. "What have I done?"

14 years old Brenna Nash escaped for Oklahoma after a horrible murder of a girl in her class, a murder she accused to be done by her best friend, half-Caucasian half-Native Indian, White Bird. Now, two years later, she returned to Oklahoma and learned that White Bird was locked in a mental hospital since that day. Feeling guilty for not stepping up for her friend, Brenna decided to seek for the truth; whether White Bird is the true killer or not. Unfortunately the whole town seemed to against her; the sheriff thought she was involved in the murder and the local bullies harassed her. Seeking comfort in graveyard, she tried to unreveal the mystery, but some people who knew the truth would stop her at nothing.

I really enjoyed this book; I'm a mystery lover and this book satisfied my thirst for it. Along the way I guessed who might be the culprit was - and it turned out my prediction was correct, yeay. At first I felt annoyed with Brenna for being an angst teen, but along the way I saw more about her and I liked her. She has many layers and behind her seemingly egoist behaviors, she actually care a lot. Another thing I like about this book is there's no damsel-in-distress moment, wooohooo! I can't tell you how much I love it; I've read too many books (YA and non-YA) where the girls were just hopeless and constantly need to be saved. That's not what happened to Brenna. She was bullied yet she's still strong and continue trying to save White Bird. Of course, due to his condition, we could only met the 'real' White Bird near the end of the book but Brenna explained a lot about him, she made me felt like I knew White Bird too. Sometimes I was annoyed with the way the girls in YA book describe the boys she love, but not in here. It was clearly that Brenna loves him, but she never went over the board with her love; it's love, not adoration.

Not only that, this book also covers plenty issues; starting from racist, bullies, prejudice, and sexist. It was a bit unfair for the adult in this book; most of them portrayed either as prejudice people with hidden motives. But hey, sad as it seems, it's also the fact. It remind me how often we look at other people based solemnly on how they dressed and to think about them based on whether they have benefit for us or not. The supernatural element in this book was done subtly but nice; it didn't way over the top. Actually it seemed like something that could happen in our lives. I felt like I've learned something about Native Indian from this book; about their custom and practice. In these days where people of the world mixed together in almost everywhere, it was sad that in some areas (especially small town/village) racism is still alive and kicking.

I think this book is a must read for YA fans who like mystery, strong heroine and bigger issue than I-love-a-super-guy-but-I-can't-be-with-him-because-he's-immortal thing.

Lynossa

ps: This review is part of April is NetGalley month. I received the e-copy of this book from NetGalley, thanks!

In The Arms of Stone Angels by Jordan Dane