Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Top Ten: Books To Be Read This Winter

Top Ten is a weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish
Top Ten Books On My TBR List This WInter

1. Possession. It sounds really good, but I haven't made the time to read it yet. I'm really getting into dystopian and this sounds very intriguing. Plus the cover is just so gorgeous. 

2. Last Sacrifice. I really have to finish the Vampire Academy series. Don't get me wrong, I love this series I just haven't made the time to read such a big book, even though I know it's going to be worth it!

3. The Iron King. It sounds super good, but just haven't gotten around to reading it yet. I hope to sit on the couch sipping cocoa with this book! :)

4. Unearthly. I read Fallen and wasn't a big fan, making me leery to read this book. It does sound good and I do want to read it.

5. Fever. I'm reading Wither now and absolutely LOVE it! Cannot wait for the sequel!

6. Shatter Me. This sounds really good and unique. I think it's going to be exciting!

7. Shattered Souls. I cannot wait for this book to come out! It sounds incredibly good!

8. Beautiful Darkness. Beautiful Creatures was kinda long but I loved it, so I definitely have to check out this book this winter!

9. Pretty Little Liars: Pretty Little Secrets. Absolutely can NOT wait for this. I love the Pretty Little Liar series and this just sounds amazing.

10. Mockingjay. Still have yet to finish the Hunger Games series, but I cannot wait to read it! I really adore this series!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Elixir by Hilary Duff



Elixir by Hilary Duff

Released: October 12, 2007  
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
Series: Elixir, Book 1
Followed By: Devoted
Page Amount: 327, US Hardback
POV: 1st Person (Clea)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-19/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-20/20
Writing-18/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-6/10
=92/100  A
★/5

  

SUMMARY:
Clea Raymond has felt the glare of the spotlight her entire life. The daughter of a renowned surgeon and a prominent Washington DC politician, she has grown to be a talented photojournalist who takes refuge in a career that allows her to travel to the most exotic parts of the world. But after Clea’s father disappears while on a humanitarian mission, Clea’s photos begin to feature eerie, shadowy images of a strange and beautiful man—a man she has never seen before. 
When fate brings Clea and this man together, she is stunned by the immediate and powerful connection she feels with him. As they grow closer, they are drawn deep into the mystery behind her father’s disappearance, and they discover the centuries old truth behind their intense bond. Torn by a dangerous love triangle and haunted by a powerful secret that holds their fates, together they race against time to unravel their pasts in order to save their lives—and their futures.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
I am pleasantly surprised with this book. Honestly, I was a little bit leery when I picked up this book. HIlary Duff was my idol when I was littler. I loved her on Lizzie McGuire and I had all of her cd's. I was afraid that although Ms. Duff could do all of that, maybe she could not write. I couldn't have been more wrong, and I'm glad. I really wanted to enjoy this book, and I did. This book entranced me from the first page. All of the settings were brilliantly described, making me feel like I was there with Clea. The plot was detailed and very interesting. The whole incorporation of soulmates was very unique and just beautiful.  This book was not what I expected, and that made it even better.   

With characters named Clea and Rayna, they have to be good! I love unique names, and these names in this book were just gorgeous. Clea was realistic and I loved seeing bits of the author shine through her personality. Rayna was the typical best friend, but was very enjoyable. I could see bits of my friend in her. Ben was pretty great. He was a different personality. The tension between him and Clea added something special to this novel. Sage was an interesting character. I wanted to get to know him and to better understand him right next to Clea. The romance in this book wasn't the entire book, but it was realistic and was logical for the direction of this book. It was easy to feel the romantic tension throughout the book.   

The ending was not what I expected. This book had a continuous, suspenseful tone as it edged to the ending. It really set the tone for the end and made me wonder what was going to happen next. The ending let me down a bit. This was an amazing book, but the end was a bit of a letdown. It was not really a cliffhanger but it also didn't solve all of my questions. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending, but the rest of the book was so good, it made up for the ending.  

My Favorite Part: Soulmates. It was a unique twist on this book.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes, it's very addicting, I couldn't put it down!

Will I be reading the next book? Yes, I really want to see what happens between Sage and Clea.

Thanks for reading! I love having so many followers and viewers, it's a great feeling that you liked my blog enough to follow it. 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Friday, November 25, 2011

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong

Released: July 1, 2008 
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Darkest Powers Trilogy, Book 1
Followed By: The Awakening
Page Amount: 390, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (Chloe)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon


OVERALL:
Plot-20/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-20/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-9/10
=97/100  A
★/5

  


SUMMARY:

After years of frequent moves following her mother’s death, Chloe Saunders’s life is finally settling down. She is attending art school, pursuing her dreams of becoming a director, making friends, meeting boys. Her biggest concern is that she’s not developing as fast as her friends are. But when puberty does hit, it brings more than hormone surges. Chloe starts seeing ghosts–everywhere, demanding her attention. After she suffers a breakdown, her devoted aunt Lauren gets her into a highly recommended group home. 
At first, Lyle House seems a pretty okay place, except for Chloe’s small problem of fearing she might be facing a lifetime of mental illness. But as she gradually gets to know the other kids at the home–charming Simon and his ominous, unsmiling brother Derek, obnoxious Tori, and Rae, who has a “thing” for fire–Chloe begins to realize that there is something that binds them all together, and it isn’t your usual “problem kid” behaviour. And together they discover that Lyle House is not your usual group home either…-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
Whoa... this book was a wild ride. Warning: when beginning to read this book, prepare not to stop, because it is that addicting. I honestly could not put this book down. When I started this book I thought that it would be a sappy, cliche read about a girl who sees ghosts. This book was so much more. I normally need romance in the books I read in order for me to be interested, but this book was so brilliantly done, I would not change a thing. There is enough tension between Chloe and Simon and Derek to suffice for romance. Sure there isn't in your face romance, but this book did not need it. There is some very well written action in this book that I absolutely loved. I normally do not like action in books, but this was executed so well, it blew me away. This book read like a movie and I could not put it down. The plot was unique and this book was overall a great read. 


The characters were excellent as well. There was a good amount of characters and each of the m had a story. Some of the other characters stories weren't fully explained, but I'm sure in the next two installments their backgrounds will be established. Chloe was the ideal protagonist. She wasn't perfect, she had faults, but it made her real. She was strong and a great leading female. She's certainly someone I want as a friend. I also liked Rae and Liz, even Tori at times. They all had distinct personalities. Simon and Derek... Wow... They added a lot to this story. Simon was really interesting and I loved his personality. Derek was mystery boy... Hehe I loved him. I wanted to get to know him and to better understand him alongside Chloe. His personality was realistic and I enjoyed getting to know him. He added some humor as well as tension with Chloe that was very enjoyable.


The tension at the end had my adrenaline running. I did not expect that ending and it made me want to rush out and buy the sequel (which I actually tried to, but my bookstore didn't have it). The ending was very exciting, my heart was literally racing alongside Chloe's. It takes an amazing writer to make the reader feel such strong emotions. As you can see, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I look forward to reading many more books by Ms. Armstrong.

My Favorite Part: The action. This was such a fast paced book and the action was so well written I could picture everything happening. This book read like an action movie.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Absolutely! It's so great and I hear the series just gets better from here (if that is even possible!)

Will I be reading the next book? Of course! I already tried to buy it the day I finished The Summoning! II'm going to track down the next book soon, I'm sure of it!

Thank you for reading! I love having so many followers and viewers, it's a great feeling that you liked my blog enough to follow it. 

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥

Friday, November 11, 2011

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Evernight by Claudia Gray

Released: February 10, 2009
Publisher: HarperTeen
Series: Evernight, Book 1
Followed By: Stargazer
Page Amount: 327, US Paperback
POV: 1st Person (Bianca)
Buy it here: Barnes & NobleAmazon

OVERALL:
Plot-19/20
Characters-19/20
Creativity-19/20
Writing-20/20
Pace-10/10
Ending-9/10
=96/100  A
★/5

  

SUMMARY:
Bianca wants to escape. 
She's been uprooted from her small hometown and enrolled at Evernight Academy, an eerie Gothic boarding school where the students are somehow too perfect: smart, sleek, and almost predatory. Bianca knows she doesn't fit in. 
Then she meets Lucas. He's not the "Evernight type" either, and he likes it that way. Lucas ignores the rules, stands up to the snobs, and warns Bianca to be careful—even when it comes to caring about him. 
"I couldn't stand it if they took it out on you," he tells Bianca, "and eventually they would." 
But the connection between Bianca and Lucas can't be denied. Bianca will risk anything to be with Lucas, but dark secrets are fated to tear them apart . . . and to make Bianca question everything she's ever believed.-Goodreads.com

REViEW:
I really enjoyed this book. It was a vampire book, which immediately grasped my interest. The writing was very refreshing and easy to read. The plot was very interesting, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although there a lot of vampire books out there today, this one was different. These vampires were not "vegetarians" and were more of the stereotypical vampires. It was a different experience and a very interesting one at that. I really liked the setting, I mean an eerie gothic academy just screams vampires! This book sets up a great series and makes you excited to read the next installment. 

The characters were well done. I liked all of the students being portrayed as clothing conscience were very interesting. I liked finding out their true story and reason for being they way they are. Raquel was very cool. She's the kind of best friend I would want to have. She isn't explored much in this book, but I really enjoyed her presence. Bianca was a good protagonist. I liked her. She was realistic, but still unpredictable. I feel like I didn't get to know her as well as I wish i could, but there is still more time in the series. Ohmigosh Lucas... swoon. His part in the plot was just terrific and an amazing twist. It was completely shocking, but still not too outlandish. Lucas was so sweet and nice and just great boyfriend material. I'm looking forward to him in the next book. 

The ending was very creative. I really was surprised and left wanting more. I cannot wait to read the next book to see what's in store for Lucas and Bianca. I'm really excited. Evernight Academy is definitely a place I would love to be a part of because of the mystery surrounding it!


My Favorite Part: Lucas's role in the plot and story. I loved the romance between him and Bianca.

ALL iN ALL:
Do I recommend this book? Yes it is quite a change from other vampire books.

Will I be reading the next book? Yes! I already have it and cannot wait to start it.

Thanks for reading! I love having so many followers and viewers, it's a great feeling that you liked my blog enough to follow it. I know it has been awhile since I last posted, but I've been swamped at school and have been too busy to read. I'm reading a lot of books now though and will be beginning to post more readily now.  

It's a Book Thing
Review by Macy ♥
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