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

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

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

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Title: Where She Went
Series: If I Stay #2
Author: Gayle Forman
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Pages: Hardcover, 264 pages
Rating: 3 Okay

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.
Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.
Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

REVIEW
The story started off in “If I stay” (review) when Mia and her family had a car accident. And she was left alone deciding whether she should follow them or stay.

“Where she went” is the most anticipated sequel of the most heart breaking story “If I stay”.
The story is told in Adam’s POV.

This time it’s already three and half years since the horrible accident. And three and half years since Mia woke up from her coma. And three years since she left Adam alone without a proper goodbye. Making Adam wondering what had gone wrong and what happened. And because of his depression he wrote quite a lot of songs and made his band famous and became a Rock star and had a famous celebrity girlfriend. Despite it all. He is still searching for the answers of his unanswered questions. That only Mia can answer.

The story is as always heart breaking and yet heartwarming. The story is told in the same way the first novel was. Although like I said above the difference is that it’s Adam’s opinion this time.

Honestly? I don’t know where to start. I don’t know what to write. And I don’t know what to say in this book. It’s just perfect. The story is emotionally contained. It’s well written. The emotions are always there to the point that you’ll be always drawn in to the story.

It’s the same as the first book. Mia and Adam met. Then they take a tour and Adam brought us back 3 years ago from where he started another life without Mia in his side. What he’s done and all the emotions he felt for Mia as he is telling his story.

Adam is a perfect boyfriend I have to say. Not perfect “Perfect”. But maybe should I say a right example of a boyfriend? Anyways Adam is supportive and understanding boyfriend. After the accident he made sure that he is there for Mia. Supporting her in her every bits of move and taking care of her. And you wouldn’t hear any complain from him. It’s like his world is Mia. No..His world is indeed Mia. That is why I understand that he is mad at her at Mia when she suddenly left him and cut all her connections with him.
It was understandable. He did everything for her and she suddenly left him with no word.

But I also find it a bit tiring to read. All I could read about is Adam's bitterness and anger. Blaming all this to Mia. It’s three years right ? I know I so sound insensitive. But unlike the first book I think this book is full of bitterness rather than romantic. But I guess that’s what this book is all about. Since it’s about letting go and trying to move on. But it’s just tiring to read a thought where all it said or at least that’s what I interpreted is “It’s all because of her”. I know it’s hard to lose someone you love the most. Especially if you didn’t get a proper closure.

Ugh. I’m contradicting myself I know. But believe me. I don’t know whether I should appreciate the book or not. There is this side that I liked but there is also a side where I don’t like and it’s fighting that leads me what to decide. This book didn’t give me that heart warming feeling that I got from its prequel “If I stay”. It’s lacking.

Kay-c

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

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

Lies - Michael Grant

Title: Lies
Series: Gone series #3
Author: Michael Grant
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: Hardcover, 447 pages
Rating: 4.5 Almost perfect!

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:


It's been seven months since all the adults disappeared. Gone.


It happens in one night. A girl who died now walks among the living; Zil and the Human Crew set fire to Perdido Beach; and amid the flames and smoke, Sam sees the figure of the boy he fears the most: Drake. But Drake is dead. Sam and Caine defeated him along with the Darkness—or so they thought.


As Perdido Beach burns, battles rage: Astrid against the Town Council; the Human Crew versus the mutants; and Sam against Drake, who is back from the dead and ready to finish where he and Sam left off. And all the while deadly rumors are raging like the fire itself, spread by the prophetess Orsay and her companion, Nerezza. They say that death is a way to escape the FAYZ. Conditions are worse than ever and kids are desperate to get out. But are they desperate enough to believe that death will set them free?

REVIEW:

Lies is the third installment of Gone Series by Michael Grant. So for those who haven’t read the two first books and doesn’t want to be spoiled. I suggest you to read my first Reviews. Here and Here. And Go buy the book! It’s a kind that you wouldn’t want to miss!

WOW. Again. WOW. Everytime I hear or read “gone” word all I could remember is the Gone series. And then my heart will starting raising to excitement. Michael blow my mind for the third time.But!
I have good news and bad news regarding this installment. Good News is the hunger/food was sorted out (yey!) and the bad news is Drake is back (booo!) plus his immortal (booo!2x2x2x2x throws all the things she can grab to Drake) anyways.

Things are getting tougher for Sam and rest of the Council. More action scenes and more problems to that needs to be resolved ASAP!!

After many incidents that happened aka Worms in a farm fields, Caine’s attact, Human Crew, And Death of some kids in the FAYZ and Drake Merwin’s death.

It has been half a year since the children are forced to live everyday inside the FAYZ scared and hungry. Sam and the council are moving on and trying to live in FAYZ. Hunger was sorted out. More kids discovering their powers yet more kids suffered from the Human Crew’s hands as they continue to roam around the FAYZ freely and hurt those mutants/freaks bad or not. Sam is getting mad at this yet Astrid is stopping him as she wants to make a system out of her leadership. In addition to that Orsay claimed that she is able to see the happenings outside the Fayz wall (which Mr. Grand, had given us a slight Idea of what is outside the wall - Which I still have a hard time believing due to fact that: 1st duh...LIES, 2nd is its orsay. Who knows what Nerezza had put into her mind) not to mention that someone saw Drake walking around the Beach.

New and interesting/scary Characters have been introduced yet again! could they be an ally or eneme? It’s for you to find out! Anyways, Nerezza who turned out to be the ‘darkness’, Sanjit and virtue who are the celebrity children who lived across the island. Old Characters have are crueler and crazy. You wouldn’t really imagine that we are talking about kids here. They all think like adult already. Some would do for the common good and some would do things for their own selfishness and evilness.

Why Lies? Well throughout the story all things revolves around the truth and lie. As I may have mentions above that Orsay claims to see what is happening outside the FAYZ wall and telling every kids that she can talk to their parents outside using her power. That said many have believed and some doubted. Many have taken her word and happily faced their death when they turned fifteen. The council themselves doesn’t know whether to believe or not but they don’t the kids to commit suicide. So they covered up the lie with another lie.

You know the reason why I stick to this book. I want to know what humans esp. kids their age wanted to do in order to survive and live the world where death and life matters. Well that’s a bit confusing aint it? And also the story is a realistic yet fictional. Of course the obvious fiction here is the gaiaphage and the powers that the kids have gained though out the series and the cruelty of the kids, Which I think had gone worst. What I say about realistic is how kids react, would do and feels while inside the FAYZ and who and where should they hold on to? When there are kids like Caine, Drake and Zil who all wants to lead or face them and let them threatened you using this --> "I'll Kill you If you won’t let me rule" I also laugh of some Michaels remakes about the things. Like how Sam would tell Astrid how hot he is. Or what is Sam’s reaction after seeing Brittney sitting in the couch in Howard and Orc’s living room. <-- opps. As always the writing style and plot matched perfectly to that point that you’ll end up gaping to the unpredictable scenes and get mad at those ruthless kids in the story. Every page is a must read as it contains important information regarding the next scenes.

Gawd I can't wait for the fourth installment! I kept on wondering what will happen next and what are those new characters will contribute on the next series. Plague seems a sad title esp. that many kids have died in this series alone. I wonder what will Caine do next in order to defeat Sam? I kept on hoping that someday along the series. Caine and Sam will team up against all odds to fight for someone like Drake? Darkness? Zil? whoever?. And! I had the feeling it will come SOON!

Kay-c

Lies - Michael Grant

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna And The French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Pages: Hardcover, 372 pages
Rating: 4.5 Almost perfect

Amazon | Goodreads | Book Depository

Summary:
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Claire: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.
As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near-misses end with the French kiss Anna—and readers—have long awaited?

Review:
Okay…before I let you know my official review. I had to say this out loud.
Ready?
…okay.

-GOSH! NO WONDER PEOPLE SUDDENLY WANTS TO GO TO PARIS AFTER READING THIS!!
-NO WONDER PEOPLE WENT CRAZY FOR A WEEK WHEN THEY ARE DONE READING THIS!!
-NO WONDER PEOPLE SUDDENLY WANTS THEIR OWN ÉTIENNE ST. CLAIRE! !
-NO WONDER!!!!!!!!
.
.
.
Done! :D

Moving on.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Evermore - Alyson Noel

Title: Evermore
Series: The Immortals #1
Author: Alyson Noel
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Pages: Paperback, 356 pages
Rating: 2.5 - It's fine. You may take it or leave it

Amazon | Goodreads | Book Depository

Summary:

Since a horrible accident claimed the lives of her family, sixteen-year-old Ever can see auras, hear people’s thoughts, and know a person’s life story by touch. Going out of her way to shield herself from human contact to suppress her abilities has branded her as a freak at her new high school—but everything changes when she meets Damen Auguste…

Ever sees Damen and feels an instant recognition. He is gorgeous, exotic and wealthy, and he holds many secrets. Damen is able to make things appear and disappear, he always seems to know what she’s thinking—and he’s the only one who can silence the noise and the random energy in her head. She doesn’t know who he really is—or what he is. Damen equal parts light and darkness, and he belongs to an enchanted new world where no one ever dies.

Review:

The story is about Ever, who lost her family from the car accident caused by a deer. But luckily or maybe unfortunately Ever survived the accident. And ever since that day when she woke up from the accident she started having this weird ability to see people's aura, read their minds and see ghosts. Well at least just her sister's ghost: Riley. Ever transfered to another school and lived with her aunt Sabrine; her father's twin. And having her power made it harder for her to get in contact with people or even touch them. Because if she does she will eventually know their whole life story. So she decided to hide herself inside her hood and listen to her ipod just to distract herself from ever supernatural that is happening around her. Until Damen arrived.

Well? What can I say? I don't pretty much like the story but just forced myself to finish it in one night or if not...then I won't be able to finish it.

I hate how Ever easily give in to every Damen's plea. I hate how easy she is to be manipulated by Damen. And Damen himself for being such a manipulative j***.

Damen on the other hand despite what I think of him as a manipulative one. I still think he is charming and that is why Ever fell for him. And gosh~ I hate it. He is also sexy and a mysterious kind of guy or a puzzle kind of one that you wont get tired of solving. Yet there is an end to it.

Ever is pretty only if she acts like a teenager and not a freak girl. Really. She is I just hate how she tried to cover her pretty face under her hood. But oh well...I guess it was better that way so Damen could be the only one to see her.

There are no interesting characters at all! And the story is a bit predicted. And I also think that the story is a bit common. Though you'll be confused and dizzy about how suddenly things turn out this way and that way. But yeah. I pretty much predicted some which disappoint me because I expected something to this book.

But even though I didn't like the story. That doesn't mean you wont too. Who knows you might like it. So I would still recommend this book to those who are interested. To those who loves mystery/romance YA books. =)

Kay-c

Evermore - Alyson Noel

Leaving Paradise - Simone Elkeles

Title: Leaving Paradise
Series: #1
Author: Simone Elkeles
Publisher: Flux
Pages: Paperback, 303 pages
Rating: 4 Excellent go buy it!

Amazon | Goodreads | Book Depository

Summary:
Nothing has been the same since Caleb Becker left a party drunk, got behind the wheel, and hit Maggie Armstrong. Even after months of painful physical therapy, Maggie walks with a limp. Her social life is nil and a scholarship to study abroad—her chance to escape everyone and their pitying stares—has been canceled.
After a year in juvenile jail, Caleb’s free . . . if freedom means endless nagging from a transition coach and the prying eyes of the entire town. Coming home should feel good, but his family and ex-girlfriend seem like strangers.
Caleb and Maggie are outsiders, pigeon-holed as "criminal" and "freak." Then the truth emerges about what really happened the night of the accident and, once again, everything changes. It’s a bleak and tortuous journey for Caleb and Maggie, yet they end up finding comfort and strength from a surprising source: each other.

Review:

Leaving paradise is about Maggie And Caleb who shared the same fate.

Caleb the one who hit and run Maggie Armstrong as he drive while being drunk was imprisoned for a year while Maggie suffered from tibial plateau fracture and is now under therapy in order for her to walk better again. After a year of accident the two faces the world as Caleb is finally sent out from prison while doing the community service and Maggie doing her monthly therapy.

The accident changes their lives as Maggie instantly became a freak and a loner as her friends left her and doesn’t treat her friends anymore. And Caleb’s family became a stranger to him. They don’t look at him the same way and being constantly nervous whenever his around.

I bought this book because Simone Elkeles is the author seeing as how I love her Perfect chemistry made me think that maybe this story will stock in me too. And it did. Ms. Simone indeed made a story where you can feel the character’s emotions and making you stay up night just to finish the story. Plus she wrote with the two characters point of view really will inform you how the two thinks.

Though I think that Caleb falling for Maggie in ‘this book’ is a bit rushed and I was left gaping. I won’t give any detail as to why but you reading it may be able to find why I said it.

The ending was…a bit disappointing. There is a twist in the story that you think there is hope about Caleb’s life (which is true) but still he decided to do it and that made not only Maggie but his family sad despite of everything.

Kay-c

Leaving Paradise - Simone Elkeles

AngelFire - Courtney Allison Moulton

Title: AngelFire
Series: AngelFire #1
Author: Courtney Allison Moulton
Publisher: HarperCollins
Pages: Hardcover, 464 pages
Rating: 4 Excellent book! Go buy it!

Source: Netgalley (ARC)


Amazon |Book Depository | Goodreads


Summary:


When ordinary seventeen-year-old Ellie starts seeing reapers-monstrous creatures who devour humans and send their souls to Hell-she finds herself on the front lines of a supernatural war between Angels and the Fallen, and faced with the possible destruction of her soul.


A mysterious boy named Will, who has been waiting sixty years for her return, reveals she is the reincarnation of an ancient warrior, the onlyone armed with angelfire, and capable of fighting the reapers. He is an immortal sworn to protect her in battle. Her soul has been reborn againand again over the centuries to fight the reapers, and he's been there for five hundred years to protect and fight alongside her. Now that Ellie's powers have been awakened, a powerful reaper called Bastian has come forward to challenge her. He has employed a fierce assassin to eliminate her-an assassin who has already killed her once. At the same time, Ellie is falling in love with Will, even though they know their relationship should be impossible.


While balancing her dwindling social life and reaper-hunting duties, she and Will discover Bastian is searching for a dormant creature believed to be a true soul reaper. Bastian plans to use this weapon to destroy Ellie's soul forever, not to mention the devastating ramifications for human souls. Now she must face an army of Bastian's most frightening reapers, prevent the soul reaper from consuming her soul, and uncover the secrets of her past lives-including truths that may be too frightening to remember

Review

Angelfire is a story about a girl named Ellie, Who seemed to be normal at first but then suddenly she's not. She's a heavenly creature who is repeatedly reincarnated for a very important task that needs to be done from heaven and is destined to fight all the evil creatures from hell.

Intense and deadly action scene with beautiful characters. Wow. The combination of it is perfect. Characters are beautifully made by its own purpose. The main characters are easy to love. I love the pair and their tandem: Will and Ellie and I made a name for them - Willie<3. I love Will's mockery which Ellie find annoying. I also love the secondary characters: Kate who I think is the great friend for Ellie who actually will do anything for here even though she has no idea of what's going on but just trusted her friend. I also love both Nathaniel and Laurel that I wanted them to end up together no matter what. And Cadan, Cadan, Cadan. The Angel in disguise. He remains a mystery to me. I don’t know where he truly stands and who. Is he an enemy or a friend? ohhh how I love to see more of him in the next series.

The action scenes are detailed and more explained to the point that you find yourself imagining the next scene and day dream that you are fighting along with them. You can feel Ellie's emotion as she struggled to accept what she really is destined to be and has always been.

The Pace is slow that in some times you'll find it boring to continue esp. that Courtney made sure that her reader is well informed about world she created. So you'll find a lot details or long explanations but that's cool. The ending was a cliff hanger! and thats the reason why I gave it 4 hmmp!. But a good closure is what Im really looking for in a good book ^^.

Kay-c

AngelFire - Courtney Allison Moulton

Protectors - Elizabeth Loraine

Title: The Protectors
Author: Elizabeth Loraine
Series: Royal Blood Chronicle #2
Publisher: Arraiis, Inc.
Pages: 304 pages (e-copy)
My Rating: 2 Reading it for the sake of finishing it.

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Source: A copy was provided in exchange of Review

Summary:

In the beginning we were creatures of the night, killing humans and drinking their blood to sustain us. But in the passage of the centuries we have evolved and now walk amongst you both in daylight or night as peaceful, moral beings satisfied to hunt and drink the blood of animals. We live with the support of our Watchers; humans who have been chosen and in return have made sacred vows to protect our species from those that would do us harm. A task that is a privilege for our Watchers is to be able to donate their blood to us. This donated blood is gathered medically and mixed with an elixir devised by the ancients that magically multiplies the volume and allows it to remain fresh indefinitely. We call this elixir Crimson and use it as a supplement to or a replacement for our normal diet

My name is Katrina and I have been chosen as the leader of the Five. The “Five” or “The Protectors” have been foretold in human prophecies throughout time. I, along with my twin sister Katherine (Kate), and my friends Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El) and Arletta (Letta), have completed the protection ceremony and an oath to protect the races, all the races.

But in order to continue to succeed the Five must become the many. Join us.

Review:

This is the second book of Royal Blood Chronicles series. If you haven't read the first book, I strongly suggest to read it first. Here.

Protectors is the second book of Katrina where in the five friends Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El), Arletta (Letta), Katrina (Kat) plus her twin sister Katherine (Kate) have decided to stop the evil. Together with the help of their other friends: Eric the long lost Prince of Denmark, Damien the son of the former Council President and Gerhard As they have decided to take a journey to America to face the three evil vampires.

The Five are called Protectors destined to protect their race against some evil clans. In this Series the five have discovered who they really are and their purpose. As they are grow aware of their own powers and their abilities which every time improved.

As the seven went to on their Journey to America they have stumbled different enemies and meet new allies that helped them to their long awaited battle.

The one thing I like about this book is the shallowness of the story. It is easy to ride and the plot is easy to understand. The Characters have become more likable and wise not to mention more powerful than before. As in more powerful to the point that It would be impossible for them not defeat their enemies.

I was also expecting more Quinn and Katrina scenes but well... as seeing katrina fall more deeper to Damien I think It's impossible to see them together now as more than friends but just friends.

I still have the same problem though or I think the plot became faster this time and more predictable than I thought. It was easy for me to guess things to happen like I don't need to play detective or genius at all. In the end I can't say I enjoyed the story as it is easy to predict. Not to mention the pace disappoints me as and the lack of information.

Kay-c

Protectors - Elizabeth Loraine

Katrina - The Beginning

Title: Katrina - The beginning
Author: Elizabeth Loraine
Series: Royal Blood Chronicle #1
Publisher: Arraiis, Inc.
Pages: 336 pages (e-copy)
My Rating: 3 Fair

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Source: A copy was provided in exchange of Review

Summary

The High Regent has called members of each royal vampire family to Council. Katrina Von Dracek wonders what this will mean to her.
Does the Council really intend to send the young royals to start a new coven in the Americas or is there something else?
All Katrina's vampire senses tell her evil is all around them and that she will be the one called upon to save them all.

Review:

Katrina - The beginning had me hooked right in the beginning. I honestly thought that this would be another vampire story but I was wrong all along. I shouldn't have judged it.

Katrina - is a seventeen year old royal vampire. She's independent, strong and wise for her age.
She grow up not knowing where her mother or any details about her. She just assume she's long dead and her father still mourn her. She grow up with her watchers - Quinn, Simon, Gutner, Thomas, Avery, Cedrick, and Gregor who are human as there are people who swore to protect their kind. They help her train to be good vampire and how to protect herself and discover her gift that she could use.
One day her father decided to go to a ball for the councils meeting she met her Rosalinda (Rosa), Eleanor (El) and Arletta (Letta) and made friends with them.

I like the characters all are nice and wise. I even love the idea about humans and vampires living peacefully except that there or will be someone who opposed it. It's unavoidable since to make a story good is. Someone has to be bad but that's what I like about this story anyway.
Each vampire has their own unique gift that they could use to any kind of situation after all its theirs. They could use it as a weapon or anything they want to do with it. Elizabeth put all the paranormal beings in one book which I find exciting. Wizards. Witches. Fairies? you name it.

There is one things that annoyed me while reading Katrina;
And last is the pace of the story is too fast, no futher details of explanation about certain situations which I'm not use to so its a bit hard for me to catch up because I'm adjusting at the same time. I'm not so sure about about how the character feels or thoughts. It just happened so fast that it left me wondering as the scene changes to another. Getting myself to disregard the fast pace is kinda hard. And because of this I think the story is rushed.
Overall the story is good. It would be more enjoyable and exciting if Elizabeth explained the story further.

Kay-c

Katrina - The Beginning

If I Stay - Gayle Forman

Title: If I stay
Series: If I stay #1
Author: Gayle Forman
Pages: Paperback, 259 pages
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers Group
My Rating 4 Excellent book! Go buy it!

Amazon|Book depository| Goodreads


Summary:

Mia has everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices. Then, in an instant, almost all of that is taken from her. Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future. Mia spends one critical day contemplating the only decision she has left - the most important decision she'll ever make.

Review:

One moment Mia had a perfect family, supportive and loving parents and a funny and adorable little brother Teddy. Then the next, they're all gone by a tragic accident that took all her family and left her in coma.

The story is about family, friendship and loss with a mixed of music.

Mia's soul was separated from her as she takes that opportunity to observe and watched her love ones come to visit her.

Throughout the story, Mia give us insight about her life as we go take a one day ride back to her past where her family used to live. How her Parents would support her cello lessons, how she met her boyfriend Adam and her best friend Kim and how her mom and dad would tell her stories. How they used to be a happy family.
And by that I was able to learn more about Mia. How she grow up and she started loving music.

Mia also reflects how she might have disappoint her parents, by choosing Classical Music instead of punk rock, where her parents lineage. Not to mention, having this different hair color and eyes color, Mia doesn't feel she belongs to her family at all. But even so, they never fail Mia. They are and will be always there to support her whenever she needs it. All she needs is to ask them to.
And now she lost that chance.

I feel devastated. It's a pity to loss such a perfect family in one tragic accident. I feel sorry for Mia for her loss and even cried for her. Since she’s not able to mourn for her family, I feel like I should mourn for them instead. It pained me to continue reading the book with such a beautiful story yet ended up tragic. I felt her loss and thought it was mine.

But I admire Mia for making such a big decision that I couldn't imagine myself to make. If I were in her shoe, I would have chosen the other. I can't even bring the idea of losing them all in such a one moment.

If I stay - Moved me to the point that it made me cry. I stayed away from the book for awhile because I couldn't take the story to myself. It's just heartbreaking and depressing. The plot is perfect and nice. It’s such a nice story that will made you reflect and think.

Kay-c

Review: Where she went (Sequel)

If I Stay - Gayle Forman

Hunger - Michael Grant

Title: HUNGER
Series: Gone Series #2
Author: Michael Grant
Pages: 590
Publisher: Harper Teen
Rating: 5 out of 5

Amazon | Book Depository | Goodreads

Summary:

IT'S BEEN THERE MONTHS SINCE EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF FIFTEEN BECAME TRAPPED IN THE BUBBLE KNOWN AS THE FAYZ.
THREE MONTHS SINCE ALL THE ADULTS DISAPPEARED.
GONE.
Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from t...moreIT'S BEEN THERE MONTHS SINCE EVERYONE UNDER THE AGE OF FIFTEEN BECAME TRAPPED IN THE BUBBLE KNOWN AS THE FAYZ.
THREE MONTHS SINCE ALL THE ADULTS DISAPPEARED.
GONE.
Food ran out weeks ago. Everyone is starving, but no one wants to figure out a solution. And each day, more and more kids are evolving, developing supernatural abilities that set them apart from the kids without powers.
Tension rises and chaos is descending upon the town. It's the normal kids against the mutants. Each kid is out for himself, and even the good ones turn murderous.

But a larger problem looms. The Darkness, a sinister creature that has lived buried deep in the hills, begins calling to some of the teens in the FAYZ. Calling to them, guiding them, manipulating them.
The Darkness has awakened. And it is hungry.

Review

Is the second book installment of the Gone novel by Michael Grant and If you haven’t read the first one and doesn’t want to be spoiled. I strongly suggest to back away or go read my first review. Here.

It's been three months since the FAYZ started. All things have gone from bad to worst. All kids are facing Hunger, having little food left in the grocery store plus more kids complaining. Sam can feel the pressure of being a leader to these little kids. Having forced to answer all their questions repeatedly. Having asked to solve some little/minor problems such as who will own the pet they both kids named? Not to mention the faces who looked out for him to answer all the things. Several months before after the adults had gone ‘poofed’ children had gone wild taking all they can have for free in the local grocery store, not minding that doing it might reflect a huge crisis in the future events : Starvation. That said children have gone joking about cannibalism. Eating the pets they once own, or their neighbors pet or hunt an animals that is available just to survive the starvation.

The book as title hunger not only revolves around the hunger in the beach kids but also the hunger of their main protagonist who called itself: darkness. As it calls whoever get in touch with it aka caine, drake, lana. Caine has spent months in bed fighting gaiaphage or the darkness. And Lana who silently is fighting the darkness is calling her back to the gold mine where they last encountered with coyotes’ are having this thought to face and finish it on her own.

Many kids are introduced in this series: Zil, Hunter, Harry, Brittany, Duck and many more. Who have a very big role in the entire series and might as well in the next ones.

For me this is not as good as the first book. Sam and Astrid only share small portion of spotlight despite their main role in the story. Caine and Diane get to enjoy their spotlight here as they both fight and plotting another war against Sam who had a breakdown after all things that happened. Astrid on the other is annoying me, she doesn’t seem the Genius anymore. Maybe she’s too smart to the point that she can't see smaller things like what Albert is planning. Saving batteries and tissue paper are indeed a good idea who knows they might need in the future. Yet she opposes it.

Also in this series. Human crew was made. As the title of the groups says they are a group of humans who does not have the power. As Caine went to the power plant and Diana winning Computer Jack’s favor using his weakness against computers and technology to prove his worth. He decided to go after them for the plan of getting the Beach electricity cut. Zil on the other hand had made a sudden attack in the beach, vandalizing, destroying some houses and even hunting kids that have power and that includes Duck who has the power over his own density and Hunter who has the power to boil the brain of his enemy or someone. Some kids favored him saying that Mutants are failing and selfish people who only cares for their selves.

Caine and Diane get to have my favor here even though I’m not really on their side. But seeing how twisted couple they are? and how they made the series more likeable and interesting. Even though Caine’s plan fails Diana will always have a backup plan making them a perfect tandem. Drake is getting more scary and ruthless.

This book is getting better as we go further. I can't wait to set my hands on the third installment.

Kay-c

PS: REVIEW - Book 3:
Lies

Hunger - Michael Grant

Unwind - Neal Shusterman

Title: Unwind
Author: Neal Shusterman
Publisher:
Pages: 335 pages
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Amazon |Book depository| Goodreads

Summary:

The Second Civil War was fought over reproductive rights.
The chilling resolution: Life is inviolable from the moment the
conception until age Thirteen. Between the ages of thirteen to
eighteen, however, parents can have their children “unwound,”
whereby all of the child’s organs are transplanted into different
donors, so life doesn’t technically end. Connor is too difficult for his parents to control. Risa, a ward of the state, is not talented enough to kept alive. And Lev is a tithe, a child conceived and raised to be unwound. Together they may have a chance to escape – and to survive.

Review:

Unwind blew my mind away. And that said, I had to pick up my brain again to make a review. I have two words to describe the "book". Scary and disturbing.

There is one obvious argument I found and realized while reading the book: The legality of abortion.

Parents get to choose whether to eliminate you or to let you live.
Through chapter one and half of the book all I ever felt was anger. In a world where the authorities and your parents are the most powerful people through out your teenage years. The world that Neal created is so scary. I don't want to live here, that's what I first thought and really. I won’t. Never.
In Unwind, children have no choice but to follow or death will be the consequence. And if you do make a choice you'll be run out of options and you'll be the enemy of the authorities.

These people have the thing called Unwind in their bodies and it comes out naturally from them literally like talking They can easily say that "Unwound is JUST a process where you'll be divided and donated to different donors in the world! But you'll live" and I was so really mad about that.
At first I kept shoving the book away but somehow it's pulling me, tempting me to read and finish it. But temptation won. -.-;

Life here are like toys. Once the parents are fed up with their children they just have to sign up the unwinding paper and let the authorities do the thing. it's like tasting a food and spitting it out if they didn't like the taste and get rid of it. Easy right? Of course the parents who willingly sign the contract will be happy to know that you'll be gone soon. And some would even celebrate. Children in the age of 13-18 do not own their life. It all depends on their parent’s decision. It's either you have to force yourself to be somebody else to please them or make a choice. But prepare for the consequence.

The parents view their children as a tool, a material which they can easily get rid of if they want to; donate if they need to; pass or give away. Why not, right? its legal anyway. They can just make love and make many more like their son or daughter who might be better than the other.

Teenagers like Connor who cant be controlled And where trouble seems to follows him. So his parent suddenly had enough of the troubles his bringing and wants him out of their life.

If you are like Risa. A ward of the state. Where no one thinks she's talented enough plus her existence herself is just a waste of money because she does not bring any good results to every little things she's doing.

Lev on the other hand is a tithe. He was born to be unwounded. He's parents made him in order to donate him and thinks it’s a good will for their god. I don't know whose god they are talking about.

These teenagers are the main characters of the story as they all choose to runaway and fight for their lives.

There are disgusting scenes here. But I have to keep moving on. Anyways I just want to warn those who haven't read the book to brace yourself and prepare for the mind blowing plot.

Kay-c

Unwind - Neal Shusterman