Tuning Into YA Books

Cliche Much? Haven't We Seen that Before?

2011-05-22T09:08:00.001-11:00

Crooked Smile? Check. Love Triangle? Check. Angels/Vampires? Check. Forbidden Love? Check. The list goes on, but only stops short to repeat itself. We've all been critical of it, the cliches, the "Haven't we seen this before?", the "Sigh. Not this again." response. As a book reviewer, I've always rolled my eyes at the fact that, not again, a vampire who tries to be good and send his girl away (Haven=Twilight) or the love triangle, where another boy is left behind as third wheel, pining for his love of another girl. Believe me, not only these cliches come up in books, but in Korean dramas, or any other dramas/TV shows for the matter. There's the rich boy who's a snob, (Chuck in Gossip Girls & Go Jyun Po in Boys Over Flowers), but then changes for the better because of a girl, who's usually poor. But then, oh no, here comes the past lover or the best friend who's left behind.

But I want to bring it to the fact, can we really blame the author for not being creative enough to think of new ideas? While working on a project for social change for a social entrepreneurship activity, I realized how a lot of my ideas were just "reinventions of the wheels" and it was extremely difficult to think of an innovative idea that was out of nowhere.

I don't think it can be justified that a book can be 'bad' or it can be justified in blaming the author for just copying the trends of teen novels. It's very rare do I come across a book that I think is original and has a plot or a character that I've never seen before. The nuances and the delivery of the characters are the factors that determine the book's quality or not. Take Demonglass for example. We've seen the forbidden love thing (enemies as lovers), the magic (Harry Potter), the burgeoning love triangle, witches, warlocks, vampires, werewolves. But what made me love this book was the humor and the characterization. How the author delivered the growing romance and created the suspense with the plot.

Sorry for the ranting :(. I just wanted to express my opinions and say that even though I may slip up sometimes in my reviews, by mentioning I'm exhausted by the constant vampire fighting or the sympathy for the poor best friend, I only blame them for its depiction, not for its ideas. What are your responses to the growing number of cliches?

In My Mailbox (19) + Movie News

2011-05-15T07:50:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

From The Library (Reading)

Strings Attached by Judy Blundell (I read her other book and it was a departure from the normal and I like the book. So far, this story is really intriguing with the historical time travel.)

And I know you're thinking, ugh, another Hunger Games movie news? Well I just had to put this out there, but they finished the casting for all the tributes (below). I wish I can say I'm super excited, but I can't with the main casting all gone wrong in my opinion. But I'm getting interested with all the tributes (last one cast was District 2, and I think they both look great in my opinion. But...the person playing Cato looks too nice. Maybe he should have played Peeta?)

(Almost) Summer & (Almost) Blogosversary Giveaway

2011-05-15T07:35:00.001-11:00

To thank all of my followers for sticking with me, even if I disappear without a trace for many months, I'm hosting a belated blogoversary giveaway (or an it's almost the end of school year giveaway.) I have a lot of books that are sitting on my bookshelf that I hope others can find joy in and read. Some of them are ARCs and others are finished copies. Thanks again to all my loyal followers and readers and please expect more of me during the summer. (More time to read books). Also, I've done a little renovation in the site, but there's still going to be a lot more done in the few months so please expect more :)

Official Rules:

Open to only US residents (Sorry international readers.)
1 Winner (Winner chooses from list of book.)
Ends Friday, June 3 (11:59 PM EST)
Fill out form below to enter

List of Books

Impossible by Nancy Werlin
Drought by Pam Bachorz
Death Cloud by Andrew Lane
Slice of Cherrt by Dia Reeves
Darkness Becomes Her by Kelly Keaton

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Waiting on Wednesdays (14)-Series Edition

2011-05-11T07:57:00.000-11:00

So this is what happens when you get off blogging for a couple of months. A bunch of new book covers that make you cry because they're so beautiful. Probably most of these already came out ages ago and I'm lagging behind, but they all were absolutely stunning and just made me want to cry more because I have to wait so long, that I did a series editions of Waiting on Wednesdays, inspired by Breaking the Spine.

Title: Silence (Hush, Hush #3)
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Synopsis:

The noise between Patch and Nora is gone. They've overcome the secrets riddled in Patch's dark past...bridged two irreconcilable worlds...faced heart-wrenching tests of betrayal, loyalty and trust...and all for a love that will transcend the boundary between heaven and earth. Armed with nothing but their absolute faith in one another, Patch and Nora enter a desperate fight to stop a villain who holds the power to shatter everything they've worked for—and their love—forever.

Title: Hades (Halo #2)
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Release Date: August 30, 2011
Synopsis:

Even the love of her boyfriend, Xavier Woods, and her archangel siblings, Gabriel and Ivy, can’t keep the angel Bethany Church from being tricked into a motorcycle ride that ends up in Hell. There, Jake Thorn bargains for Beth’s release back to Earth. But what he asks of her will destroy her, and quite possibly her loved ones as well. Can he be trusted in this wager? And what does Jake have Xavier believing about Beth’s fate that may result in an act of betrayal that will leave Bethany – and readers – wondering if Xav is so good after all?

Title: Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society #2)
Author: Ally Carter
Release Date: June 21, 2011
Synopsis:
Katarina Bishop has worn a lot of labels in her short life. Friend. Niece. Daughter. Thief. But for the last two months she’s simply been known as the girl who ran the crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. That’s why Kat isn’t surprised when she’s asked to steal the infamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its rightful owners.

There are only three problems. First, the gem hasn’t been seen in public in thirty years. Second, since the fall of the Egyptian empire and the suicide of Cleopatra, no one who holds the emerald keeps it for long, and in Kat’s world, history almost always repeats itself. But it’s the third problem that makes Kat’s crew the most nervous and that is simply… the emerald is cursed.

Title: Crossed (Matched #2)
Author: Ally Condie
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Synopsis:

In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.

Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door (Companion to Anna and the French Kiss)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Release Date: September 29, 2011
Synopsis:

For budding costume designer Lola Nolan, the more outrageous, the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins move back into the house next door.

When the family returns and Cricket—a gifted inventor and engineer—steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

Demonglass Review

2011-05-09T10:03:00.001-11:00

Title: Demonglass
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Published Date: March 2011
Synopsis:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Review:

Have you ever had that experience when you’re starving and you land your eyes on a piece of chocolate? You tell yourself, I’m going to savor it and take a slow time eating because I’m going to regret it. But when you take that first bite…you can’t resist and devour it, leaving you happy for a second until you realize that you’re still hungry.

Well instead of chocolate, imagine secrets at every taste, romance and hot kisses at every bite, humor and sarcasm at every savor, and hot boys, loyal friend, a blossoming (and humorous) father-daughter relationship. Yep, it just got 100 times more intense.

Sophie Mercer travels to London with her best friend, Jenna, and Cal to visit her father to not only learn how to control her power and demon nature, but also to learn of the burgeoning and grave problems facing the Council. As Sophie learns about the formidable and foreboding power of The Eye, the rising demons, her family history, she can’t face her heartache for Archer.

I thought I had loved Hex Hall and its humor, but Sophie’s humorous and sarcastic comments literally made me laugh out loud (in the library, where a few people looked at me strangely). Her relationship with her father, as she starts to build an emotional connection and learns to accept him was beautifully delivered, without any awkwardness or melodramatic tears. Their relationship was always lively and you could see it grow (even with a hint at another romance with Sophie’s parents) without feeling corny.

He snorted. “She once put me out by the side of the road in Scotland because I made a completely harmless joke about her map-reading skills.”
“Really?”
“Mm-hmm. Had to walk nearly five bloody kilometers before she stopped to let me back in.”
“Dude. Mom is hard-core.”

The secrets from every chapter, every page puts you into the action so much and didn’t make you bored at any moment. And the cliffhanger at the end, of course they had to do it, but bloody hell! How I am going to wait another year for the third installment!

And of course, Archer. Archer, Archer, Archer. Could someone please just transport me to a Hogwarts like place, somewhere preferably with a guy like Archer? No, no, no…a guy EXACTLY like Archer? Archer does come into the second half of the novel, but not before Hawkins introduces another rival and (in my opinion, another cute couple, Daisy and Nick). And the romance, kisses just made me beg for more (of their cute relationship and hilarious banter).

“She was my assignment”
“From the Eye?”
“No, from the Boy Scouts. That Witch Dating badge just kept eluding me.”

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5 (Loved the new characters, Nick and Daisy. I really hope we see them again in the next book. Jenna was absolutely brilliant with her depth and complications.)
Cover: 4.5/5

The cover is similar in design with Hex Hall, but the contrast is absolutely stunning. The chaos, with the fire and the two different personalities was portrayed so well, in addition to the beautiful model that really looks like Sophie in my mind.

Overall: 5/5

I've seen some reviews that criticized Demonglass for being too cliche or following other novels, but even though there are similarities to other novels, Hawkin's delivery of it with her characters, which were developed thoroughly, humor, romance, and the mystery element spun Demonglass to a beautiful and hilarious novel, remind me yet again, how much more exciting life would be in going to a Hogwarts-like school.

Author Interview: Amanda Brice (Codename)

2011-05-08T08:29:00.002-11:00

I'm so glad to welcome Amanda Brice today to discuss her new debut teen novel, Codename, which was published about a month ago. I haven't had the chance to read it yet, but I absolutely cannot wait to. But without further ado, a million thanks to Amanda Brice for the interview, who will talk about her transition to YA novels from adult romance novels, experience in participating in a ballroom dance competition, and penchant for Grease.

Describe the synopsis of your new book as if you were writing a recipe.

Add one part dancing to one part suspense, and add in a dash of romance. Stir well!

What was your inspiration for your new book?

When I was a kid, I used to write stories about a cool crime-solving chick named Nancy Flew who had this hot boyfriend named Ted Tickleson. Yeah, not so original. But...

Have you ever wanted to be a celebrity or a ballet dancer?

I’ve danced pretty much my entire life. Apparently I used to jump up and down to the tune of the Coke commercial when I was a toddler, so my mom knew she had to enroll me in dance classes as soon as I was old enough. I eventually was part of a local company when I was a teen. Some of my friends are still a part of that world in various capacities (most have moved on to teaching, although a couple are still on Broadway or in ballet companies), but I decided I didn’t want the pressure of a dance career. If you have a job, it’s wonderful, but unless you’re at the very top, there’s a constant cycle of auditions and waiting tables while waiting for your big break. Not to mention never knowing whether you’ll ever get another role. And your career can come screeching to a halt with just one injury. Too stressful. I admire everyone who does it, but it wasn’t for me.

I continued to dance for fun in college – ballet, flamenco, tap, ballroom. Then my junior year, Duke started a competitive ballroom dance team, and I knew I had to audition. It was a blast! I continued to compete for a couple of years after college, but stopped once I went to law school. Now I take a weekly ballet class. Well, when I have time, that is. I have a toddler, so weekends can be crazy. I can’t wait until she’s old enough to dance!

You were an adult romance novelist before. Why did you decide to make the transition and how was the transition for you in writing style?

Pretty easy, actually. YA comes a lot more naturally to me. Perhaps that’s more of a reflection on my maturity than anything else. LOL!

I decided to start writing YA because one day I had a book idea, and it just happened that the characters had to be in high school. It wouldn’t have worked any other way. So I sat down to write, and the ideas just flowed. I think my voice is more suited to YA.

I enjoy writing for teens and preteens because the emotions are so close to the surface. You tend to tamp that down as you get older. I feel like it’s much more real for teens.

As a writer, we all have writer’s block or can’t seem to get the ideas flowing. How do you overcome yours? Do you have a special technique that you can share?

I don’t know if it’s a special technique, but if I feel blocked, I give myself permission to just write crap. You can always revise it later, but you can’t edit what isn’t written.

Any projects you’re working on? Can we expect a sequel?

Indeed you can! Dani’s adventures continue in Pointe of No Return, which should be out in November. We’ll see how things go with the first two books, but I hope to write a third in the series.

I’m hard at work writing the sequel, but I’m also working on a cozy mystery for adults.

Favorite book when you were a teenager?

I had several favorites, but I think the one that intrigued me the most at the time was probably Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. We read it in my sophomore English class, and I was fascinated by this gothic tale, even though it has parallels to Jane Eyre, which I didn’t particularly care for. There was just something so primal about the new Mrs. De Winter’s fascination with her husband’s late wife, and I couldn’t get it out of my head. Later that year our English teacher asked us to choose one of the books we’d read and create some sort of derivative work based on it. Some students painted pictures, someone produced a rap video.

Last movie you just watched?

Does Dora’s Ballet Adventure count? No? Hmmm…I can’t even remember the last time I saw something in the theatre, but I just saw Black Swan on DVD and Emma on PBS. My “comfort movie” (the one I can watch a million times and it never gets old) is Grease. What can I say? I’m a sucker for singing and dancing!

What character would you like to become from your literature?

Would it be a total cop-out to list a character in one of my unpublished manuscripts? I know that’s sort of unfair, because you have no way of knowing who I’m talking about, but the heroine (Julie) in Party Like It’s 1899 is pretty cool. She buys an old book from a used bookstore while on a class trip to Paris, and the next thing she knows, she and a guy she considers a total arrogant jerk get magically transported back in time to the days of the can-can, Impressionist artists, and the Moulin Rouge. And since this is a romance, obviously she learns that the guy isn’t all that arrogant after all. It’s a very fun story and I hope publish it some day.

The concept of time travel is just fascinating to me, so obviously I’d love to spend a day in Julie’s shoes.

As for books that you can currently buy, I think I’d say Maya from Codename: Dancer. I know, I’m supposed to say the heroine, not her sidekick. And I do love Dani, but there’s just something really cool about Maya. She’s brash, snarky, and not afraid to speak her mind. She totally stands up to her high school’s high society, too. Not afraid to call them out, even if it makes her unpopular. I think she’d be a blast to write. Who knows, I might write a book or two from her perspective. Analisa’s POV, too.

Again, thanks for Amanda Brice for her interview and congratulations to her new teen novel. If you're interested in buying it, which I'm sure you should be, check it out here.

In My Mailbox (18) + News Bites (Hunger Games)

2011-05-08T03:41:00.001-11:00

Hey everyone! I know I've been out of the blogosphere for over 2-3 months and I know apologizing a lot won't help and neither would giving out boxes of cookies will either. But I hope a giveaway will :). I'm planning to update my blog and revamp, and start off fresh with a giveaway, which I'll post in the coming days. So stay tuned! (In addition, an author interview is looming its way today.) On another note, my library got a huge pile of new books and I cannot wait until all my testing is over to start reading them.

From Library (Reading):

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (Loved Hex Hall! And I'm loving Sophie again here.)
Entwined by Heather Dixon (The cover is absolutely stunning, and so far the story is too)

From Library (To Read):

Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomnilson
The Mermaid's Mirror by L.K. Madigan

After my testing finishes next week, I'll start posting daily reviews.

Credits: The Frisky

And on another note, even though obviously this news is ancient, who was thoroughly disappointed by the Hunger Games casting? I'm sorry, but Miley's ex boyfriend and Josh Hutcherson isn't going to do it for me. (But I'm getting excited by all of the tribute's casting. Maybe that'll compensate. My favorite is Marvel and Glimmer, totally matches the description. And I'm loving Rue.)


Credits: ScreenRant

What did you get in your Mailbox and who's your favorite Tribute? Drop your comment below (planning to revamp comment system too.)

Also, Happy Mother Day to all mothers!

In My Mailbox (17)

2011-02-26T12:29:00.000-11:00

For Review (from Ingroup)

Death Cloud by Andrew Lane

I'm excited to read this book, since it's a little different from my regular choice of books. Haha, but doesn't the cover look like Justin Bieber? What did you get in your mail?

Libraries Matter, No More Cuts & YA ARC Program Help

2011-02-15T10:31:00.000-11:00

All book bloggers have felt it by now, unless you live in some really remote rich country or in the bottom of the sea, where they have a secret stash of cash untouched and unmarred by the economic crisis.

The library budget cuts. Libraries are being placed lower on the county agenda, replaced by schools and the county safety public departments, which are of course equally and more so important. However, as we all know, libraries are one of the perpetrators for increased literacy, help provide a place to study quietly and read books, in which we can escape the pressures of school. For me, especially, a library is a second home.

I am currently a student member of the Friends of the Library, which is a non profit organization separate from the county libraries but essentially helps provide for the funds for library programs, in addition to assigning grants to specific libraries. As a student member, I get to create programs for teenagers that benefit both the library system and the Friends of the Library.

One of the programs I hope to start is an Advanced Reader Copy program, in which teens can borrow the ARCs, which doesn't limit their reading choices to only the YA books at libraries, and can write reviews about them. To jumpstart the program, I'm planning to email YA publishers very soon. However, I wanted to ask all book bloggers for your help and even possible contributions. A lot of bloggers are in contact with publishing agents or have a lot of ARCs lying around, which can't be sold. I wanted to ask you guys to help me start the program, by donating extra ARCs for this library program or help me get in personal contact with publishers. It would help salve the pain of the budget cuts for teens at our library system. (In addition, if you have any personal suggestions or comments, please let me know.)

How do you guys cope with the budget cuts? Do you guys have any programs for teens that you think are great? If so, please please let me know. I really am open to comments and suggestions (even defamation.)

Incarceron MOVIE?! Emma Watson and Taylor Lautner

2011-02-13T06:14:00.000-11:00

Oh God. How could I miss this?!

Incarceron is being turned into a movie (projected release date is 2013, too far away) and Taylor Lautner is cast as Finn, while Emma Watson is the number one candidate to costar with Lautner (probably as Princess Claudia).

While I love Lautner (with his abs and looks, of course, drools :)), I really can't imagine him as Finn. Finn is supposed to be small and weak, who grows up, but with Lautner's body and age, I'm not sure they can pull it off. However, I do think Emma Watson will do a fantastic job as Claudia, because she express the bossy streak for Hermione really well and I absolutely cannot wait to see her in another movie.

But, I'm actually interested in how the chemistry will play out between Watson and Lautner. What do you guys think? Will this movie be a flop with the casting?

Source: ScreenJunkies

In My Mailbox (15)

2011-02-13T05:27:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed (from Library):

Delirium by Lauren Oliver (absolutely loving it and so excited that there's going to be a series!)

What did you get?

Waiting on Wednesdays (13)

2011-01-26T11:45:00.001-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Wither (Chemical Garden #1)
Author: Lauren DeStefano
Publishing Date: March 22, 2011
Synopsis:

What if you knew exactly when you would die?

Thanks to modern science, every human being has become a ticking genetic time bomb—males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty. In this bleak landscape, young girls are kidnapped and forced into polygamous marriages to keep the population from dying out.

When sixteen-year-old Rhine Ellery is taken by the Gatherers to become a bride, she enters a world of wealth and privilege. Despite her husband Linden's genuine love for her, and a tenuous trust among her sister wives, Rhine has one purpose: to escape—to find her twin brother and go home.

But Rhine has more to contend with than losing her freedom. Linden's eccentric father is bent on finding an antidote to the genetic virus that is getting closer to taking his son, even if it means collecting corpses in order to test his experiments. With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to break free, in the limited time she has left

My Thoughts:
First of all, I love love the cover. It's absolutely breathtaking and combines a science feel with the circles, but the overlying theme is the emotional musings of a distraught girl. The model is absolutely beautiful in a distraught way and I loved how they portray her with the make up. But enough about the cover. I also am loving the plot and I cannot wait for this dystopian novel to come out soon. And the world the author creates seem unique in its own way :)

Anna and the French Kiss Review

2011-01-26T06:51:00.000-11:00

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Published Date: December 2, 2010
Price: Amazon ($10.56)
Synopsis:

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:

The magical and luxurious Paris, a scrumptious and sexy hot boy (with of course a British accent), and a sweet love story with flirtations exuding from the pages creates the perfect touch of a young adult chick romance novel, Anna and the French Kiss.

Anna Oliphant, a senior, is sent to School of America in Paris, losing her friends, her little brother, Seany, and the security of America. She expects to be a loner, teased for her minimal knowledge of French culture (consisting of oui). What she meets is a welcoming group of friends, which consists of the hottest guy, Étienne St. Claire, who’s not only kind and flirtatious with our narrator, but has a British accent. Anna and the French Kiss is their road to discovering what it means to not be alone and how to communicate love.

After finishing the book in one sitting, even at the cost of my homework, I felt so elated and excited. Maybe it was their constant flirtation that not only made Anna fall in love with St. Clair, but also myself. Or maybe it was the humorous relationship with her friends, Meredith, Rashami, and Josh who really shone in the spotlight, instead of being shunted to the sidelines. Maybe it was the journeys and the romantic aura of Paris (making me want to buy an airplane ticket to Paris and say au revoir, America high school). Or it could just be the simple fact I love British accents and with a sexy guy attached to it, who could resist?

What really makes Anna and the French Kiss distinctive of many YA chick romance novels that are becoming increasingly cliché is the sincerity in Anna’s and St. Claire’s love interest. The chemistry and love between them starts bubbling with the progression of their friendship, in which they comfort each other with their troubles and talk comfortably about their interests (Anna’s interest in film critiquing and St. Claire’s interest in art). And even though their relationship grows steadily, it goes on a roller coaster, as they both have to face their fears before realizing their love.

Plot: 5/5
Character: 5/5
Cover: 4/5

Simple, but gorgeous placement of the Eiffel Tower and the couple on the bench. I think the girl really looks like the Anna I imagined in my head, but I wish they could have bleached a part of her hair strand (or at least put some sort of hair extension) because that’s a characteristic that makes her stand out.

Overall: 5/5

Stephanie Perkins does a fabulous job in bringing the cliché love story true, ringing with sincerity, giving readers the hope that they can find the perfect guy, sexy, kind, and loyal (maybe a British accent) in a true love story. Even though both Anna and Étienne have flaws, it’s constantly overshadowed by their humorous banters and romantic trips within Paris. You bloody hell should read this book, or you’re really missing out on true love.

I also attached some pictures I took in Paris in my Europe trip, to help bring the Paris aura in America. I know, it's hard.

Illyria Review

2011-01-24T10:39:00.000-11:00

Title: Illyria
Author: Elizabeth Hand
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Published Date: May 13, 2010
Price: Amazon ($11.87)
Synopsis:

Madeleine and Rogan are first cousins, best friends, twinned souls, each other's first love. Even within their large, disorderly family—all descendants of a famous actress—their intensity and passion for theater sets them apart. It makes them a little dangerous. When they are cast in their school's production of Twelfth Night, they are forced to face their separate talents and futures, and their future together. This masterful short novel, winner of the World Fantasy Award, is magic on paper.

Review:

Elizabeth Hand, through her beautiful language, creates an intricate and alluring painting, with fantasy, magic, and love coloring it. Hand creates depth and meaning through very little words, the narration with Maddy reverberates with the passion she feels for Rogan and for theater.

Maddy lives in a closeted family, in which she was descended from a family of theater actresses. A forbidden love arises between Rogan and Maddy, who grow together and through their relationship and their school play, Twelfth Night, Maddy understands what glamour is and what talent is.
The love between Rogan and Maddy, for me personally, is a storm hidden under the twinkling lights of the magical theater they view together in the attic. The sincerity of their love and the passion isn’t expressed through wasted pages of Maddy feeling sad and depressed when Rogan flits around (cough cough, Twilight and other teenage romance novels). The characters were also well developed, Rogan, Maddy, and even Aunt Kate. Maddy, who loves Rogan and understands the limit of her talent, Rogan, the talented and wild boy who deeply cares for Maddy.

I personally loved Maddy’s journey to discover what talent and glamour is. For me, it is the biggest question I’ve been facing ever since I entered high school, envious of my genius friends in math or English, or the violin prodigies and virtuosos. Can glamour be learned? Can you achieve an equal level to one who has talent? That’s what Maddy hopes to find out not only through her acting in Twelfth Night, but also with her relation with Rogan.

The ending left a big hole. I loved the ending section, but the years that Maddy and the reader go through are squished into a paragraph. There was a lot of places to develop in Maddy’s realization of her Aunt Kate’s lesson about ‘glamour’ and her undying love with Rogan.

Plot: 3/5
Character: 4/5
Cover: 3/5

The cover's mysterious fog hiding both Rogan and Maddy was well done, portraying the forbidden part of their relationship. Also, the solitary figures in the dreary setting created a nice tone of their closeness and sincerity in their love.

Overall: 3/5

Illyira is a nice short and quick read, a little out of the ordinary with the relationship and how Hand pursues it. Most teen books usually spend at least half the book describing how they fall in love, but Hand starts right from it and goes with the action. I also really loved how Hand balances both Maddy's journey with Rogan and her search for a spotlight. There were some holes that were too big and untied strings left at the end, which sometimes made me want to skim through the book.

In My Mailbox (16)

2010-12-20T10:14:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read):

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick
The Replacement by Brenna Yovanof
Dark Song by Gail Giles
Matched by Ally Condie

As you can see I got a really good haul from the library and in time for the winter vacation :). I'm again sorry for not posting constantly and I know it's all my fault and stupid school. But my winter holidays begin this week, so I hope I can get in some reviews before the year ends. (And I might have a giveaway soon in light of my blogoversary so look out :))

What books did you get?

In My Mailbox (15)

2010-12-12T11:43:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (Reading):

Torment by Lauren Kate (Loving it! Much better than the first :))
Illyria by Elizabeth Hand (Very interesting...More to come)

Borrowed from Library (To be Read)

Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card (Loved Ender's Game. Can't wait to see what this brings!)

What books did you get?

Hex Hall Mini Review

2010-12-07T10:18:00.000-11:00

Title: Hex Hall
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Publisher: Hyperion Books
Published Date: March 2010
Price: Amazon ($11.55)
Synopsis:

Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters. By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Mini Review:

Hex Hall was a magically crafted debut, a little of flirting and romance (and of course, the bad pretty boy, Archer), mystery and tension (making me turn the pages and losing sleep), and magic (the interactions of the different fantasy creatures was hilarious). The protagonist, Sophie Mercer, is a spunky protagonist, with sarcasm, loyalty, and kindness. I loved how she was independent from the beginning, not feeling the need to conform and staying by Jenna’s side even when everyone turned against her. The friendship and love twisted nicely with the main plot, where Sophie learns to define herself as the witch.

I also loved how Hawkins fired surprise ending after ending, not leaving time for the reader to get bored. There were so many twists that just left you hanging your jaw open and meticulously looking through the pages for a sequel (which is coming out in one month!).

I loved Hex Hall and it was a nice salve for my gaping wound of the lack of Harry Potter. Hawkins created a unique tale of a boarding school of the magical creatures we all know about, a tale of a witch finding her identity through her past, and of (MILD SPOILER) forbidden love.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Cover: 5/5

The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the mirror (dual personality) really depicts the book well and Sophie's journey for identity.

Overall: 4.5/5

Note: Sorry for the very short review. I'm currently engulfed with homework, tests, and reports so I won't be able to write full blown reviews until the winter holidays.

Winter Holidays-Wish List Recommendations (Best of 2010)

2010-12-05T10:59:00.002-11:00

Hey everyone!

So the winter holiday is coming up (and it sure feels like it too), with Hanukkah already starting and the Christmas music pouring from our radios. In the light of the winter holiday, I wanted to compile a "2010 Wish List" of the books you need to have or want to buy for other people. (It'll also help me decide how to spend my money.) It would be great if you could leave the book that YOU would personally want to have for the winter holidays with a URL that links to a summary (Goodreads) or somewhere you can buy the book (Amazon). Thanks! Hope you find these helpful :)

Hunger Games Movie Rumors Galore

2010-12-01T13:29:00.002-11:00

I spent my Thanksgiving Holiday rereading the Hunger Games after buying the boxed set, and let's just say I'm even sadder about the whole series ending than I was when I immediately finished Mockingjay.

So where does this leave for readers? The movie, of course! (Yes, I know. Movies usually can't capture the perfectness of books, but it's better than nothing.)

Even though I heard so many rumors of a Hunger Games release date, I checked the IMDB page and it says 2013! (Too long!! 2 more years.)

But, luckily, there a lot of actresses that are interested in playing Katniss, receiving scripts and expressing interest.

Lyndsy Fonseca


Kaya Scodelrio

Malese Jow

For me, the actress that would best fit Katniss would be Lyndsy Fonesca. Her look has a resembelence of being the tough Katniss in the books. Both kaya and Malese would act as Katniss well, except the look too innocent and young to play the girl on fire. :) What do you think?

Also, right now, there is a hot fan made trailer of the scene of Rue and Katniss. I absolutely love it and I thought it did the scene justice.

Waiting on Wednesdays (12)-Sequel Edition

2010-12-01T12:55:00.001-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

I haven't done a Waiting on Wednesdays in a while, so I decided to put together all my anticipated sequels for 2011. Beware for spoilers in the synopsis if you haven't read the first book. (Also, Happy 1st Day of December! 23 more days till winter break :))

Title: Demonglass (Hex Hall #2)
Author: Rachel Hawkins
Release Date: February 15, 2011
Synopsis:
Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Title: Always a Witch (Once a Witch #2: Review here)
Author: Carolyn MacCullough
Release Date: August 1, 2011
Synopsis:
The adventures of Tam and Gabriel continue with more time travel, Talents, spy work, and of course, the evil Knights.

Since the gripping conclusion of Once A Witch, Tamsin Greene has been haunted by her grandmother's prophecy that she will soon be forced to make a crucial decision—one so terrible that it could harm her family forever. When she discovers that her enemy, Alistair Knight, went back in time to Victorian-era New York in order to destroy her family, Tamsin is forced to follow him into the past. Stranded all alone in the nineteenth century, Tamsin soon finds herself disguised as a lady's maid in the terrifying mansion of the evil Knight family, avoiding the watchful eye of the vicious matron, La Spider, and fending off the advances of Liam Knight. As time runs out, both families square off in a thrilling display of magic. And to her horror, Tamsin finally understands the nature of her fateful choice.

Title: Outside In (Inside Out #2)
Author: Maria Synder
Release Date: March 2, 2011
Synopsis: None yet :(

Sadly, I read both Inside Out and Hex Hall recently and loved them both, but have not been able to write a review because of school. I am planning to write short reviews soon by this week of both books, because they both merit reviews (aka I loved them both :)).

In My Mailbox (14) + Updates

2010-11-28T08:27:00.000-11:00

Hey everyone! So, I know I've been out of the blogosphere for quite a while without mentioning any formal hiatus, so I'm really sorry. It's just that homework, school life, activities have been culminating into this huge snow ball and I haven't had much time to post a review, always postponing my blog to sometime later.

Even though I can't ensure a constant update of reviews, I promise I'll try to make a more dedicated effort and since the holiday season is coming up, I'll have a bit more free time (hopefully :)).

But I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Thanksgiving break with your family.

Due to the Black Friday shopping craze, Borders had a 50% off sale on all list items, and with a $25 gift card I was saving, I was FINALLY able to buy the SACRED Hunger Games Trilogy Boxed Set. (We all know what I did for Thanksgiving Break.)

I also spent my Thanksgiving break watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. I LOVED IT. It just let me stunned and after the movie ended, I was craving for more. Director David Yates played up the emotional turbulence of Harry, Hermione, and Ron especially [SPOILER] the romance and the jealousy and Dobby's death [END SPOILER]. The action was also brilliantly done and FINALLY, the movie stayed by the book most of the time.

In addition, I'm almost finished with reading Scorch Trials (sequel to Maze Runner) and I'm craving for the third book. (I'll try to have my review up ASAP.)

SURVEY: What do you like about YOUR LIBRARY?
I also wanted to use my blog to learn about different library systems. I was selected as the Student Board Member of my county library. Right now, we’re facing budget cutbacks, which means less new books and programs for teens.
I wanted to learn about how other different library systems receive books, cool programs for teens, things that you ENJOY about your library system. I would appreciate it so much if you could drop a comment, email me about the great features of your library system and what you would like to see in your library.

I hope everyone enjoyed their break. Tell me what you did and what you got :)

In My Mailbox (13)

2010-10-17T07:25:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed (from Library)

The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Possessed by Kate Cann

I'm really excited for both books (and I've been waiting for like, 3 months?, for the books to come.) In addition, I've finished Inside Out, so I'll try to have that review up ASAP (I'm just getting lazier and busier by the minute. What books did you get?

In My Mailbox (12)

2010-10-10T07:40:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read)

The Everafter by Amy Huntley

I've read the synopsis and I'm so excited to start reading this! What books did you get? Post a link in your comment. And sorry for being so sporadic in my posting. I've been really busy with school and SATs, and I don't know when that will come to a pause (Where's winter break?!)

Girl, Stolen Review

2010-10-08T09:36:00.001-11:00

Title: Girl, Stolen
Author: April Henry
Publisher: Henry Holt
Published Date: September 2010
Price: Amazon ($11.55)
Synopsis:

Sixteen year-old Cheyenne Wilder is sleeping in the back of a car while her mom fills her prescription at the pharmacy. Before Cheyenne realizes what's happening, their car is being stolen--with her inside! Griffin hadn’t meant to kidnap Cheyenne, all he needed to do was steal a car for the others. But once Griffin's dad finds out that Cheyenne’s father is the president of a powerful corporation, everything changes—now there’s a reason to keep her. What Griffin doesn’t know is that Cheyenne is not only sick with pneumonia, she is blind. How will Cheyenne survive this nightmare, and if she does, at what price?

Review:

Girl, Stolen is a chilling and suspenseful story, with a little peek of romance. However, intertwined is the heartwarming story of a world darkened eternally for a teenage girl.

Cheyenne Wilder, sick with pneumonia, is jerked out of her stupor as Griffin kidnaps the car. What Cheyenne doesn’t know is he didn’t mean to kidnap her. He only meant to steal the car. What Griffin doesn’t know is she’s blind.

What Griffin thought was a fatal mistake becomes a fortune, as he and his father discover Cheyenne is the daughter of Nike. But as the risks grow to release Cheyenne, Cheyenne’s fate becomes uncertain, and only one person can help her.

The suspense and the fearful aura Henry creates with Griffin’s father, Roy, and the environment Cheyenne is forced into made me turn the pages madly and finished this book in two sittings (it was only two because I had a lot of homework). The ending and the surprise attack (keeping my mouths sealed) just kept me at the edge of my seat. Griffin’s kindness and his care for Cheyenne was juxtaposed against the pure meanness of Roy and his cronies, which really created this twisted romance and the intertwining of their fates.

There are a lot of flashbacks into Griffin’s and Cheyenne’s past, which developed the majority of their characters. However, there was too much of a ‘telling’ and didn’t transition well when the time frame changed. For example, more interaction and dialogue between Griffin and his mother could really drive the sorrow of the ending and Griffin’s innate kindness. Also, Cheyenne’s incident in which she becomes blind and her relation with her first mother, would have created a nice emphasis and the hardships of trying to adjust to her blindness.

The chapters switching the point of view was executed successfully, since it wasn’t confusing to follow and smoothly brought the reader to create this balance between the characters. However, I really wished that Henry switched between Cheyenne and Griffin at the end. The ending, like always, just left me craving for more and was way too much of a cliffhanger.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

I thought the cover really showed the vulnerability and portrayed Cheyenne’s ultimate fear and her terror under the brave façade she shows. In addition, I also love the glass breaking apart at the end, because not only does it represent the glass that helps Cheyenne escapes with, but also shows how everyone’s innate violent nature.

Overall: 4/5

The unique premise and the page-turning suspense, along with the thoughtful way Henry clearly portrays and illustrates Cheyenne’s journey to adjust to being blind creates a story that’s not only adventurous and a thriller, but also emotional with the past Henry builds.

Mockingjay-SUZANNE COLLINS AUTOGRAPH

2010-10-08T08:41:00.000-11:00

So I mentioned before that I went to Suzanne Collin's Mockingjay fan signing event :)
So my friend and I went, running straight from school, so excited as we were both Hunger Game die hard fans :D.

Luckily we didn't have to wait too long to get our book signed and I was literally shaking with excitement when I actually took a picture with Suzanne Collins and got to ask her some questions about the book. Here are some pictures I wanted to share of her "autograph" (she gets hand strains so she used a stamp, which I was still satisfied with) and some goodies Scholastic was nice to give out :)

New Layout, New Buttons, New Blog + Short In My Mailbox

2010-09-27T12:58:00.000-11:00

Hey everyone. Sorry I've been in and out for the past two weeks. School is really starting to build up its homework and I've been trying to set up the new layout for a while. As you can see, it's all finished :D
In my opinion, I think it's beautiful, but I would love to hear your comments and suggestions.

First of all, I wanted to thank my friend, Heartbreakn, who created this whole layout, header, and blog button even with all my pestering. I also wanted to thank my other friend, Astrid, for creating the Movie Poster Monday and Fashion Friday buttons. Thank you so much to both and I really appreciate your work and effort :) You don't know how much I love both.

Here are some buttons that I hope you guys will share and help publicize my blog 2.0 :)

Movie Poster Monday

Fashion Friday

I am planning to put my review of Girl, Stolen, which I got from Holt InGroup, oon in a few days time. In addition, a few days back I went to Suzzane Collin's book signing and I got her Mockingjay stamp with her signature :D :D I was so excited and ecstatic. I'll put a picture of it asap.

Halo Review

2010-09-10T10:44:00.000-11:00

Title: Halo
Author: Alexander Adornetto
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published Date: September 2010
Price: Amazon ($9.93)
Synopsis:

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

Review:

Embedding the romantic belief in true love and angels (with the occasional hot guys), Adornetto entrances the reader into a utopia of love and heaven, of earth and heaven connecting together in a love story that was never supposed to happen. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of true love, but after reading Mockingjay, the romance, kisses, innocence provided a brief relief from the hatred and destruction seeping through that book.

Bethany and her two siblings (at first I thought Gabriel and Bethany and Xavier were going to create a love triangle, which would have taken an exciting turn) enter Earth to create and form humans into more sensible and good beings. However, the mission goes askew off course when Bethany lays her eyes on Xavier and irrevocably and of course, fatally, loves him (i.e. Their relation isn’t supposed to happen.)

Maybe it was all the bloodshed I experienced in Mockingjay, I devoured the sweet fluff of the cotton candy of romance. I wished I had a boyfriend like Xavier swoon. However, there are many flaws in the book, including the characterization and the plot. Before I do though, let’s all take a moment of envy of the 17-year-old girl who’s already published two books. Sigh, how unfair life is. Kudos, Alexander Adornetto!

The flat characterization of both Xavier and Bethany detracted from the book and the romance a bit. They were the perfect couple you could only dream of and I didn’t really believe there was anything exciting happening in their relationship. They kissed, hugged, said “I love each other”, realized how much they love each other, wonder about their future, in which there wasn’t a plot driven conflict or tensions in their relation, just showing adorable chemistry and cute moments.

My favorite part of the book was the description and the fantasy world she created with the angels and their relation to God. Personally, I’m not a very religious person and don’t attend church weekly, which means I don’t know much about angels. However, I absolutely love the different levels of Heaven and their roles they took. In addition, I loved the conflict and the cliffhanger at the end (even though it was way too obvious that it was coming) and it heightens up the angel world (that the readers are left out on due to Beth’s infatuation with Xavier, ignoring her original mission of saving humans).
Since the first book focused on developing the characters, the romance, and assimilating into human society, I cannot wait for the second book (Hades) to come out and bring out the evil forces the readers only got a taste of at the end.

Plot: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Cover: 5/5

I mentioned Halo before in my Waiting on Wednesday Post and like I said I’m absolutely entranced by the color scheme and Beth and Xavier’s silhoulettes. Unlike my movie poster, it really conveyes this heavenly sense.

Overall: 3.5/5

Even though I believe Adornetto could develop the characters a lot more emotionally (including Jake), I thought the heavenly angel idea was unique and conveyed the creativity in the novel. The chemistry between Xavier and Beth, including their cute scenes, was adorable, but there was a lot of development needed in the plot section and also in the evil demons part. There was too much of black and white, good and bad, heaven and hell. The book isn’t very much action packed and only brings back Beth’s role as an angel at the end, but if you like romantic books (reminding you of your hope for true love) then Halo is a great book. Either way, I’m excited for Hades to come out next year (ah, too far!)

Waiting on Wednesdays (11)

2010-09-08T13:16:00.000-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Entwined
Author: Heather Dixon
Publishing Date: March 2011
Synopsis:

Azalea and her younger sisters dance in the mysterious silver forest every night, escaping from the sadness of the palace and their father’s grief. What they don’t understand—although as time passes they begin to get an inkling of the danger they are in—is that the mysterious and dashing Keeper is tightening his snare with deadly purpose. Luckily, Azalea is brave and steadfast. Luckily, a handsome young army captain also has his eye on Azalea. . . . Lush, romantic, and compelling, this debut novel by Heather Dixon will thrill fans of Shannon Hale, Robin McKinley, and Edith Pattou.

My Thoughts:

I smell another love triangle :). And beautiful adventure, fantasy, and also romance. The premise (and of course I'm so shallow that I absolutely love the cover and will read it because of the cover) seems so intriguing and it reveals very little while still making me interested. This book reminds me of Princess of Midnight Ball with the dancing and the sisters, but it actually seems more adventurous and mysterious. What book are you waiting for?

Movie Poster Monday (5-Halo)

2010-09-06T09:20:00.000-11:00

First of all, I wanted to jump in joy with my new MacMini. Essentially, the hardware is Mac. I don't have a Mac Laptop (I wish I did.) I'm getting used to the hang of things and I actually like it better than Windows Vista :)

So I finished Halo today. It was really nice and calming, with the romance, compared to Mockingjay so it was a nice change. The movie poster is pretty simple. Because of school I couldn't do it much elaborately. I had a hard time choosing the actress for Bethany, because she was supposed to represent innocent beauty and I didn't know who could portray it. While I was looking through other fantasy casts, Emma Roberts caught my eye and I thought she could pull it off a bit. And for Xavier Woods, there were just so many options I could choose from, but ultimately I chose Logan Lerman. Who could resist that dimpled smile? :) So, without further ado, here is my (pitiful) attempt at the movie poster for Halo.

Mockingjay Spoilers Discussion Forum

2010-09-05T14:46:00.000-11:00

My face after finishing the book.

So, I already had a heated debate with my friends, but I would really love to have everyone else's opinions, because I felt like Collins just left so many gaps and so many controversial moments.

I'm going to list the thoughts on some important parts of the books (chronologically.)

Hijacking Peeta: I thought it was a brilliant move on Collin's part because it really just turns the tables and everything over in the book. The loving, warming Peeta has turned hostile to Katniss, but also calculating and realizes the flaws in Katniss. I just loved how she did and I really felt that it perpetuated Katniss's character development.
Katniss's Reaction to Peeta: In one word: B*TCH. (and a brat). I absolutely hated it! I mean, GOD what the heck?! Would Peeta do that to you, Katniss? I felt that it detracted from Katniss and I know it isn't part of her character to be comforting, but ARGH AFTER EVERYTHING PEETA DID TO YOU, YOU BETRAYED HIM THAT WAY! And, she only changed AFTER Haymitch TOLD her to, which emphasizes that she isn't acting on her emotions or love for him.
Deaths: I didn't really think the deaths of the characters were actually that bad or too many. I think it really emphasized the violent human destruction theme. But Finnick's death just nearly killed me. After Collins took all that time to develop his character in the book and made the readers sympathize and love him more, she just killed him off in ONE sentence. And in the whole section where Katniss tries to go to the Capitol, Collins doesn't mention Finnick much, maybe once a page. And the other deaths, who got killed by the mutts, we don't even read what happens to them. Just that they disappeared. (Also, what the heck happened when Katniss looked at Finnick and saw his life flash by? They didn't explain it at the end so I'm really curious.) I believe that the weakness in the deaths was not the quantity, but the quality as Collins just killed off each character quickly, not really elaborating on it a lot.
Katniss Going Insane (Both before and after Coin's death): I don't know about this one. I'm really controversial about this. I understood WHY Collins did this, to emphasize the effects of war and being shell-shocked. But was it necessary to go into it that much that the readers lose faith in the protagonist? The hero we relied solely on? I don't know. This also made the whole ending with Peeta and Katniss loving each other and marrying as invalid. What's your opinion?
Katniss's Response to Hunger Games: Ok. PLEASE TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED HERE! Why did Katniss say yes to another round of Hunger Games? Maybe she was insane, I get that. But what is up with the long paragraph leading up to that? It was like "Oh, I think humans will always be destructive no matter what." And she ended up going against her thoughts.
Katniss's Decision: So Katniss decided Peeta. But did she really? Where did Gale go? I thought that was the worst ending ever with Gale and it seemed that Collins wanted to end the love triangle quickly in order to emphasize the anti war. But there weren't even parting words with Katniss and Gale. And how could Gale just leave Katniss alone like that when she was in the worst condition ever and just go get a fancy job when two other books pointed towards that Gale cared and loved for Katniss.
Did Katniss and Peeta really love each other?: I believe that they've moved an inch away from their insanity/killing persona. But my friend thinks otherwise. She took it as a wholly negative and pessimistic view and saw Peeta as never loving Katniss again and Katniss never being sane. I don't know. I thought the epilogue was a nice relief for the readers, but...
Will there be another Hunger Games?

The ultimate million dollar question. What does everyone think?

The beginning was well played and brilliant. But, I really wish that Collins could rewrite the ending. So I gave my opinions and I hope to hear everyone else's thoughts :)

But however the series ended. I'm so sad so so so sad that they ended the series. No more Hunger Games. Let's just hope they release a movie soon!

In My Mailbox (11)

2010-09-05T03:07:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Bought

Halo by Alexander Adornetto (Reading)
Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Borrowed (from friend)

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher (Reading)
Virals by Kathy Reichs

What did everyone else get for the weekend? Luckily for me, September is scattered with holidays so more time to read rather than the banal homework.

Mockingjay Review (Non-Spoiler Edition)

2010-09-04T15:53:00.001-11:00

Title: Mockingjay
Author: Suzanne Collins
Published Date: August 2010
Price: Amazon ($8.44)
Synopsis:

Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding.

It is by design that Katniss was rescued from the arena in the cruel and haunting Quarter Quell, and it is by design that she has long been part of the revolution without knowing it. District 13 has come out of the shadows and is plotting to overthrow the Capitol. Everyone, it seems, has had a hand in the carefully laid plans -- except Katniss.

The success of the rebellion hinges on Katniss's willingness to be a pawn, to accept responsibility for countless lives, and to change the course of the future of Panem. To do this, she must put aside her feelings of anger and distrust. She must become the rebels' Mockingjay -- no matter what the personal cost.

This is the non-spoiler edition. It’s primarily to discuss my overall perception of the book.

The day I got Mockingjay: Hands shaking. Crying. Trembling. Throwing the book against the wall. Staring up at the ceiling for 3 hours (not getting enough sleep) and wondering what the heck just happened.

1 day after completing Mockingjay: My post about my first reactions to the ending. Reread the book, trying to digest it all.

It’s been a week since I completed it. In the beginning of the book, I wanted to pray to Ms. Collins and worship her saying, “Oh dear Ms. Collins, how can a brilliant author like you exist? The plot, the tension, suspense spinning this book into a dystopia shattered with emotions, like a game you control masterfully. ” By the time I finished this book, I wanted to throw this book at her and beg her to write another ending, another sequel and say, “Ms. Collins! What the heck! How can you end the book that way? Don’t you have any conscience to what you did to your characters, your “grandchildren” really, that you took so much time and effort to stoke fire into, created depth into , making the readers love them, sympathize with them, even developed crushes for them (ok, maybe that’s just me) and this is what you DID?!.”

Mockingjay was a plate of emotions, not sparing us any deaths or any nice flowers or unicorns to a mirror of the destruction of human nature. Many would say the book was a stance against antiwar with the sadness, sorrow, and anger entrancing the deaths and the readers, but I wouldn’t say so. Laced with the violence and trauma the ultimate questions of human nature are not answered, but shown. “What can we constitute as a boundary of war and destruction? What are the limits to human’s instinct to kill, murder, if there are any?”

The one thing that didn’t change in the final trilogy was the tension, suspense, and Collins dropping a bomb at every chapter (literally and also metaphorically). There were twists in plot and one part (can’t say what, sorry ;)) just made me stare at the book for ten minutes straight without comprehending what the heck happened. The details of the war, bloody scenes, and also Katniss’s emotions (which were magnified by a hundredfold with a sense of intimacy that I came to love and then hate) were detailed so vividly that the readers’ emotions mirrored the protagonist. (By the way, the romance is kept to a bare minimum, sadly.)

The ending was what leaves me angry and sorrowful (no more Hunger Games, except for maybe the movie? Please, pretty please with a good cast?). To me, it seemed like Collins became lazy, decided to tie a nice little ribbon on it, and tried to create it into an ending that pleased the readers. There were so many gaps, rushed ends, and I kept thinking “Wait? What just happened?”, that it didn’t feel like a nice close. (I wish I could say more, but I would be revealing a bit too much.)

Plot: 4.5/5
Characters: 4/5 (More explanation in spoiler post)
Cover: 4.5/5

I have always loved the simplicity of the cover with the Mockingjay. But I think the blue color, which evokes a sense of peace, deceived the readers into thinking that this was a peaceful ending. Alas, Collins couldn’t even spare the readers that much.

Overall: 4.8/5

The emotions, the deaths, the violence, the suspense, and the twists in the plot creates a war environment within the reader’s mind, playing each scene of a loved one falling, of a look of love turning to disgust, but ultimately spelling out what humans are. Do humans have the innate want to kill and destruct each other? And if we do, where is the line to killing innocent people? I wouldn’t be surprised if Mockingjay left a spark of fire and started a revolution in 2010.

Fashion Friday (4-Fallen)

2010-09-03T09:53:00.000-11:00

I haven't done Fashion Friday in a while. So for those of you who are new this is the gist:

So I wasn't able to finish Fallen because like me, there were a hundred other fans waiting like wolverines to rip the book out of my hand, before I could finish it. So I decided, while I wait again in the long line of holds, I decided to do a little tribute for it.

For the dark Luce, she mentioned in the book she liked black so I decided to use the "bad and sexy girl" kind of fashion.


f(x) in Calvin Klein Jeans © Eiffel in Seoul


Miranda Cosgrove © Teen Vogue

For Daniel, I decided again the "bad guy look" and of course the smoldering, sexy look.

Kim Soo Hyun © Dramabeans


Song Jong Ki © Dramabeans

Also, I couldn't forget Cam (which is by far my favorite character.) who came across as a skater boy or casual boy.

©Armani Exchange

I also saw some really good "couple" pictures of both Daniel and Luce (the fashion of both the boy and girl are so perfect.)

Also, I'm working on the background right now, so please bare with the white color. Thanks!

WTF?! WTF?! MOCKINGJAY!!

2010-08-30T09:26:00.000-11:00

I'll post an official review in a few days...whenever I get over my aftershock.

But. Three words. WHAT THE FUDGE?!
MS. COLLINS, you blew both Hunger Games and Catching Fire wtih Mockingjay. THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING. The right amount of romance twist, tables turning, shock, violence well played, and emotions of fear, love, sorrow just making me shake with anticipation.

Below I'm going to include my first opinions. It will include spoilers. Cover your eyes. And before I talk about the endings, what happens in the book, EVERYONE, READ IT! I've been shouting this during my whole lunch period today, but I think I was more obsessed with this than I was with Harry Potter, which is saying something.

Also, on another note. I am back officially. I'm currently designing the layout with my friend, so please bare with this until we're finished. Below is just a preview of what you'll see (I'm planning to use this is as my button.) Please give your opinions :)

SPOILER DISCUSSION (Cover your eyes from this sacred discussion if you have not read it! Feel free to leave comments below)

Peeta!! MY LOVELY PEETA THAT I FELL IN LOVE WITH! (Sorry, Katniss, he's mine :P) God. I felt so so so so bad for him when he was hijacked. My beloved Peeta tortured. But I really wish Collins had extended the book a bit more to see more of Peeta's actual gentle side to make the ending scnee more touching since either we barely saw him or he was mentally evil.
Too many deaths :(. God, I was crying within my heart when Finnick and Prim died. I was growing really fond of Finnick.
Gale. I didn't really like him much in this book, but I felt like there should have been a better tie with him with Katniss.
Just absolutely loved the violence in the book. Made it seem much more tense and rigged with emotions. God! I was literally shaking at every chapter. At every chapter, Ms. Collins left a bomb that left me hanging for more.

Please tell me what you think! I'm so rigged with shock and happiness and SADNESS (NO MORE HUNGER GAME BOOKS) that I can't even form coherent thoughts/ (MS. COLLINS, why did you release this book so late in the summer, right when school starts?!)

Winner to CSN Giveaway & Hiatus

2010-08-01T07:17:00.000-11:00

Hi everyone. So I'm leaving to Europe soon and before I did so, I chose the winner of the CSN Store Giveaway.

The winner is:

Sarah M.

Congrats to her!!! I will send an email and if she doesn't reply in 48 hours, I will choose a new winner.

So, I decided, since I need to prepare for my junior year and use my summer to the fullest, I'm going to put off blogging until the beginning of the school year (September). I will be on and off since then but please, please wait for my full comeback until then with a new layout (the person who is making it is off on vacation too, so I need to wait till then) and until my library gets more new books for me.

So, adieu until later! I'll be in Europe and I'll make sure to post up pictures! Thank you for sticking with me and please wait for a better and more awesome blog.

Also, I WILL make sure to post a review of Mockingjay as I wait hungrily.

In My Mailbox (10) + Updates

2010-07-20T10:33:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Even though this is a bit late In My Mailbox, I didn't have the chance to go to the library before until after my internship. (And I know...reading this book right now is pretty late)

Borrowed from Library (Reading)

Fallen by Lauren Kate

Updates:

As you can tell, I changed the background for my blog. I LOVE it and I seriously wish I could use it but the readability of the text under the black color was a little hurtful to the eyes, so I'm asking one of my fellow friends to create a beautiful layout. She will be done with by tomorrow (really hopeful) and I absolutely cannot wait to see it :). I'll have that up and running and change the layout with a review policy, a list of reviews, and such.

Also, because I haven't been posting a lot of stuff up (because I've been waiting for a new layout for a start and I've finished Heist Society, but still trying to mull over how to write the review), I've decided to extend the CSN contest a bit. (More info to come).

And finally, I will be on a two week semi-hiatus in the beginning of August because my family's going to EUROPE!!! (More to come!)

Waiting on Wednesdays (10)

2010-07-07T11:44:00.000-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Falling Under
Author: Gwen Hayes
Publishing Date: March 2011
Synopsis:

In her dreams he’s irresistible—seductive, charming, and undoubtedly dangerous. But when he appears to her when she’s awake—and captivates her just the same—she’s not sure which way is up and which is down.

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life, not allowed the same freedoms as the rest of the teenagers in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, she feels every urge she’s ever denied burning through her at the slightest glance from Haden Black. Theia knows she’s seen Haden before—not around town, but in her dreams.

Theia doesn’t understand how she dreamed of Haden before they ever met, but every night has them joined in a haunting world of eerie fantasy. And as the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her forward one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear. And as she slowly discovers what Haden truly is, Theia’s not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

My Thoughts:

Dang. The synopsis seems intense! Again, it sounds like another spin-off of Twilight, but I always loved the handsome, dangerous boy book so I cannot wait for this to come out. If the cover, which is beautiful with the forbidden aura of the high contrast between the black and red and her innocent blonde hair, is any indication of the book's quality, I'm going to have to rush to stores to buy it. I think I've already grown a soft spot of Haden :)

Eclipse Movie Review

2010-07-05T11:27:00.000-11:00

With an even a hotter cast, steamier kissing scenes, and beautifully executed action, there were only a few moments of cringing while watching Eclipse (and of course, more ogling).

The introduction scene really set the somber tone of the movie. I loved the tense and scary atmosphere Riley's transformation scene created. I loved the expansion on Riley’s role in the movie, since it helped play on the viewer’s sympathy and his past, which sadly, the book didn’t. (Lol, and I have to admit, Xavier Samuel was another reason I loved seeing Riley more. Sorry Edward, Riley just stole my heart :)).

The acting again done by Kristin Stewart and Robert Pattison was bleh. I won’t go into a rant about how I hated the main casting from the start, but there were parts when the scenes were just awkward (such as the one between Bella telling Jacob about her imminent transformation), I had to cover my eyes. However, I loved some of the humorous parts (funniest part: Edward muttering about Jacob’s abs “Doesn’t he have a shirt?”) and the relation between Bella and Charlie’s dad.

There were a lot of steamy kissing scenes that you might not want young children to see (there was a mom covering a child’s eyes next to me during those scenes), but the chemistry was done beautifully, with Bella/Edward and Bella/Jacob.

I loved loved the action scene. It was intense and epic, especially the practice scene. The action was horrifying like it was supposed to be and realistic, even Victoria’s head being beheaded.

A big complaint I have is the ending. After Bella rejects Jacob officially, it ended with her and Edward in a beautiful prairie with flowers, even though the book ended with Jacob’s dejected feelings.

Minor Points:

Please, please, I hope they get Nikki Reed to dye her eyebrows or something. She looked way too much like Lady Gaga.
Loved the flashbacks
Boo Boo Stewart (Seth) and Xavier Samuel (Riley) just made the movie shine more!

Now, I'm in my "Twilight obsession" phase. (Time to reserve on Breaking Dawn again.) So how did you think Eclipse was?

In My Mailbox (9)

2010-07-04T02:55:00.001-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (Reading)

Heist Society by Ally Carter

I think my library is ordering a book one at a time :) But either way, I'm already halfway through Heist Society and I love the James Bond plotline. Loving the book.

What books did everyone else get?

On another note, Happy 4th of July to all! I hope eveyrone goes out and sees the fireworks or just have a fun time with family.

What are you doing on the 4th of July?

Incarceron Review

2010-07-03T14:20:00.002-11:00

Title: Incarceron
Author: Catherine Fisher
Publisher: Dial
Published Date: January 2010
Price: Amazon ($12.23)
Synopsis:

Incarceron -- a futuristic prison, sealed from view, where the descendants of the original prisoners live in a dark world torn by rivalry and savagery. It is a terrifying mix of high technology -- a living building which pervades the novel as an ever-watchful, ever-vengeful character, and a typical medieval torture chamber -- chains, great halls, dungeons. A young prisoner, Finn, has haunting visions of an earlier life, and cannot believe he was born here and has always been here. In the outer world, Claudia, daughter of the Warden of Incarceron, is trapped in her own form of prison -- a futuristic world constructed beautifully to look like a past era, an imminent marriage she dreads. She knows nothing of Incarceron, except that it exists. But there comes a moment when Finn, inside Incarceron, and Claudia, outside, simultaneously find a device -- a crystal key, through which they can talk to each other. And so the plan for Finn's escape is born ...

Review:

Fisher spins a dystopia of a paradise driven to shambles into a prison of poverty, theft, and hatred. Finn, a prisoner of Incarceron, perseveres with his hopes of a past outside of the lies and deceit he lives by as he and his friends attempt to discover the passageway to paradise, Outside. What he doesn’t know is Outside isn’t paradise.

Claudia, the Warden of Incarceron’s daughter, hopes to rekindle the past in attempts to escape an arranged marriage. As she uncovers the secrets and atrocities of Incarceron through the Key, she realizes the world she thought she lived in was hidden by disguises, pretenses, and lies.

The originality of Incarceron, its feelings, its loneliness and also of Outside, another prison going back in time and inhibiting technology, caused the dystopia to shine amongst all the Hunger Game books and The Maze Runner. I thought the characterization of Incarceron as another character just made the dystopia feeling hit home.

The action of the first page and the mystery in uncovering the secrets created the tense and excited environment I love in books. Even though there weren’t any big fights, there were a few but they didn’t stand out as much as the intense moment when Fisher leaves an unknown discovery hanging by switching to a new perspective.

I loved the development of the characters, Finn, Keiro, Jared, Attia, and even Evian. There was just one character that it was either just me and my personal feelings or just a lack of development, but Claudia bothered me throughout the book. Claudia’s want to search for Incarceron and help release Finn and the other inmates just gave me a vibe that she was doing this for her own selfish reasons, to live a perfect and happy life and not have to have an arranged marriage. There were some parts when she was talking with Finn, it seemed liked Claudia just wanted Finn out and pose him as Giles. On the other hand, I absolutely love Finn because he is a human, instead of a hero. Even though Finn is portrayed as a deceitful and also a thief, he also has a conscious and regret to counteract it. I’m also intrigued by Kiero because he has so many personalities and facets that I don’t know which one to believe. He acts selfish and cruel but there were instances, a glimmer of kindness and loyalty that he exhibits. I also absolutely adored Jared, and actually hope for a Jared/Claudia pairing, rather than Claudia/Finn.

The different perspectives also just added another twist to the character development. The perspectives not only juxtaposed the Outside and Inside, but also helped portray each character’s motives and tantalizing hints of the development.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 4.5/5

Cover: 4/5

I loved the intricate designs on the cover and the dark color scheme, portraying the feeling of being caged up in a prison. I also thought the Key’s design was done well with the eagle. I love the metals and the moving motors because that’s essentially what Incarceron is made of, which is decorated by floating leaves, the symbol of Outside.

Overall: 4/5

Dystopias take a twist as Fisher creates a page-turning prison full of secrets, hatred, and greed. Outside is a prison, disguised by trees and flowers, as Protocol inhibits freedom, selfish wants leading to murder. The characters’ complexities and the secrets unfolding a mystery made me flip through the book too quickly to realize I finished and needed to wait another half-year for the sequel, Sapphique.

Waiting on Wednesdays (9)

2010-06-30T11:58:00.001-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Timeless
Author: Alexandra Monir
Publishing Date: January 11, 2011
Synopsis:

When her mother is killed in a car accident, Michele Windsor has no choice but to move in with the wealthy grandparents she's never met in New York. Disillusioned by their coldness, Michele retreats into her room, where she discovers her great-great-aunt's journal--and, once she touches its pages, finds herself hurtled back in time.

In the glamorous Gilded Age, Michele learns that a wedding is coming up between the Windsors and another prominent family, the Walkers. But when Michele attends a party, something miraculous happens: while almost no one can see her in this era, one gorgeous young man with sparkling blue eyes can. Drawn together by mutual attraction, the two bond over music and the parents they've recently lost. But when the party is over, Michele learns the truth--the man she just fell for is Phillip Walker. And she, unknowingly, has just inspired him to call off his wedding to her great-great-aunt, prompting a family feud that will last for generations.

As Michele travels back and forth in time, she and Phillip meet over and over, always frustrated by their inability to have more than a few hours together. Michele knows she should try to make a life in the present, but none of the boys at school can hold a candle to Phillip. Finally, Michele tries to end their romance altogether--spurring a tragedy that transcends generations. Has Michele destroyed her chances for happiness? Or is her love for Phillip . . . timeless?

My Thoughts:

Wow. The synopsis and the cover has me begging for an early release date. The plot seems really interesting, as I haven't really read much time travel novels, but this sounds really exciting and a bit scandalous :P I love the idea of Michele causing this family feud and the true love with Phillip. I'm just a bit cautious about the last paragraph, as both Michele and Phillip travel back and forth in time. I hope to dear lord that theirencounters in time isn't over-the-top coincidental and also not too confusing as they go back and forth. Also, I love the magical effect of the cover (if only I had the talent to do that.) I really can't wait for this book to come out!

$60 Gift Card to CSN Store Giveaway

2010-06-29T11:56:00.003-11:00

Thanks to the promotion team at CSN store, I have been allowed to have a $60 gift card giveaway. CSN has over 200 stores and you can literally find anything, from bathroom sink to the bookshelves we readers have always needed! And, I am really sorry again to the winners of the last contest, in which I didn't mail and order the prizes soon enough (because of school). However, I promise I will email the winner the gift card much much sooner. Here are some items under $60 that you could buy with, that I would love to have as my own, but my readers and followers are much more important.

Rules/Details

Open only to US and Canada (sorry, international followers!)
Ends July 30, 2010
Fill out the form

Movie Poster Monday (4-Some Girls Are)

2010-06-28T14:19:00.000-11:00

This meme is created by Tuning Into YA Books (if you haven't figure out, that's me! :)). This meme is a combination of Matching Actors Into Characters and my mediocre Photoshopping skills. I compile images together from different movie scenes and fan art (that is not mine) to create a movie poster, ever hopeful of a future movie.

I haven't done this in a long time because this has been one of the harder meme's to do because I fail at Photoshop and don't know how to do it properly.

So I've read Some Girls Are quite a long time so my details may be fuzzy. So I don't really watch American TV shows much (Mostly, I watch Korean dramas...too many to tell you the truth) and I was pondering if I should do a Korean style, but I decided against it. For Regina, I decided to cast Ashley Greene because, even though I absolutely hate her style as Alice, I saw a picture of her and felt that she portrayed Regina really well, a little bit vulnerable and a little bit mean. I also used different actresses from The Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl, and 90201 to represent the Fearsome Four.

Again, if there are different suggestions for the characters please feel free to say! Or if you're brilliant at Photoshop and would like to do a guest post, please please please feel free to email me. I know my skills are very very very rudimentary. So without, further ado here's the poster!

In My Mailbox (8)

2010-06-27T03:05:00.002-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (Reading)

Incarceron by Catherine Fisher

And a number of SAT books that I'm sure no one will want to see and not throw up. Right now, I'm loving this book, maybe because I'm a die hard fan of dystopian novels. I cannot wait to write a review and post it as soon as possible. I hope to have more books soon but because of my very slow library (ARGH...frustrated), I might have to wait more than I want.

What books did everyone else get?

Ballad Review

2010-06-23T09:24:00.000-11:00

Title: Ballad
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Flux
Published Date: October 2009
Price: Amazon ($9.95)
Synopsis:

In this mesmerizing sequel to Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, music prodigy James Morgan and his best friend, Deirdre, join a private conservatory for musicians. James' musical talent attracts Nuala, a soul-snatching faerie muse who fosters and feeds on the creative energies of exceptional humans until they die. Composing beautiful music together unexpectedly leads to mutual admiration and love. Haunted by fiery visions of death, James realizes that Deirdre and Nuala are being hunted by the Fey and plunges into a soul-scorching battle with the Queen of the Fey to save their lives.

Review:

The lyrical journey that Stiefvater composes is a composition, fingered by the characters’ own journeys and the fast sixteenth notes towards the end creating dread and foreboding.

Without knowing the past and the tragedy of Dee, Luke, and James from Lament, I started reading Ballad and actually liked the mysterious tone and atmosphere it created (Lol, truth be told, I spent about 100 pages waiting for little flashbacks, until I realized that this was the second book). So on that note, I wanted to point out that I recommend you read the first book. There were few parts I was like, “Wait. What are they talking about? What do they mean”, but I didn’t think it really subtracted a lot from the plot that it left you wandering around a dark forest. That being said, let’s get on to the gritty stuff.

Oh dear, I loved James, from page one till the end. His cocky, sarcastic tone, but also his sorrowful and tragic thoughts. I laughed at his smart aleck tone and wanted to murder Dee sometimes for being inconsiderate and mean. (How could she just hurt my James!)

I actually had mixed feelings for Nuala. In the beginning and even in the end, I had suspicions with Nuala. From the start, she wants to use James for her own selfish wants, but she later grows to love James. There were times when Nuala was acting like a jealous girl and was being cruel to Dee, so for the two girl characters, I switched back and forth between Team Nuala and Team Dee. But, there was no denying the romantic chemistry between Nuala and James, and the underlying “we can never be together” love. The idea of Dee’s text suffices for the perspective we miss. The unique idea of using the unsent texts as a window to Dee’s thoughts and mind was brilliant, because it shows how Dee is scared or too saddened to say what she’s really saying in her mind, which leads to the relation of unsaid words between James and Dee. However, one comment is that I wish that there were dates on the texts, since it might help follow the story chronologically.

I also loved the supporting characters, Sullivan and Paul. Sullivan was the teacher and mentor I would have wanted. The relation between the two was like of friends and I laughed with their banter. I wish there was more of a back story of Paula, like his past and how he became to be like James (I hope that’s not too much of a spoiler for everyone).

The plot I thought fell short of the characterization. I actually liked the beginning and set-up, but there were parts when it kept going in circles as Nuala begs James to be her servant, while he repeatedly says no. Not until the end does the actually fairy battles and fights began, which to my disappointment ended rather too quickly. SPOILER: I thought Nuala’s burning and how they found her body in the dirt was too much like Stiefvater throwing the ending in at the last minute. It was way too anticlimactic and too corny. END SPOILER.

Plot: 3.5/5

Characters: 4.5/5

Cover: 3/5

I loved the burning flames and its interference with the title. However, I felt like it was too blank to really fit the lyrical passage and the title. I understand the meaning of the leaf, as a symbol for Halloween and fall, but again I felt it was a bit out of place and didn’t really symbolize Nuala.

Overall: 3.5/5

The characters and the writing really just stood out for me. The characters are beautifully characterized and complex, as they each have their own selfish desires, tragic past, but also their witty side. What I felt lacking was the plot. I loved the beginning but I felt like it could have been cut short in favor of the ending. I really wish there is a sequel to this!

Waiting on Wednesdays (8)

2010-06-23T06:14:00.001-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Halo
Author: Alexandra Adornetto
Publishing Date: August 31, 2010
Synopsis:

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings. But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

My Thoughts

Does the cover even need words to describe it? I love the silhouettes and the romantic nature it poses, like the fantasy we can only dream of as the sun sets and the couple holding hands. It also creates the forbidden love image. And I am loving the synopsis. Instead of having the damsel in distress type like in Hush Hush the main chracter is an angel. Also, I wish that there was a love triangle with one of the angels sent, the "new kid in town", and Bethany (the human can just...disappear or fall in love with a cheerleader xD).

On the other note, I wanted to tell everyone, my followers and readers, THANK YOU for sticking with me as I disappeared for like two months. I will be back in full force this summer and will even post up a review today :) Thank you to all!

I'm Back and Contest Winners :)

2010-05-22T14:15:00.000-11:00

I'm back from a 1.5 month break. I am so sorry and want to apologize profusely for disappearing for such a long period of time. Life's just been stressful, but now that my AP tests and a huge essay assignment is over with (only exams to look forward to). I promise that you for the remaining of the year (actual 2010 year), I will not disappear for this long. I just needed to get my act together, and also I got distracted from Korean dramas. (Hehe...I feel so guilty.)

But I'm ready to start anew and pick up a book again :). I'm planning to start reading Ballad, so look for the review soon. And since school will end in less than month (WOO HOO), I'll need to update the layout and other details like that.

The 75 Followers Contest was a success. 68 people entered and there were 275 entries (and now I have 128 followers! Woo hoo!)

And without further ado...here are the contest winners:

Book Choice Winner #1: Julie

Book Choice Winner #2: Ally

Swag Winner: Aik

Congrats to the winners. I will email them soon. They have 48 hours to respond, otherwise I will pick a new winner.

Again, thank you so much for entering and sticking with me even though I've been gone for so long. To close off on a note, I wanted to show this Korean drama music video that I absolutely adore (the acting is stellar :)).

Summer, Where Art Thou? + Contest Extension

2010-04-25T08:21:00.002-11:00

Essentially, the story of my life. I am so so sorry for the lack of posts and reviews. I have been super super busy with not only the schoolwork for the past week, but also we've just had our "hell" tech week for the musical, which finally ended yesterday. I play the violin in the pit, meaning I have to stay till 10 at school....sadly for that week, I spent more time at school than at home.

For the remainder of April and the beginning of May, I may not even be online frequently, since AP exams are coming way too quickly, meaning more sleepless nights ahead :(. I WILL be on towards the later end of the year, but I will make my awesome and spectacular (I hope) "comeback", just like a singer or celebrity, during the summer. So, please bare with me.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my special followers, new or old! I've already gained 45 followers. Thank you for sticking with me. I couldn't have gone this far without my followers and readers. I will be extending my contest to May 17, giving me more time to post more reviews and connect with my followers and publicize my contest more.

On a fun note, the new Eclipse trailer came out! Can't wait to watch ~~Taylor Lautner's sexy abs~~ it.

A Match Made In High School Review

2010-04-11T13:11:00.001-11:00

Title: A Match Made in High School
Author: Kristin Walker
Publisher: Razorbill
Published Date: February 2010
Price: Amazon ($9.99)
Synopsis:

When the principal announces that every senior must participate in a mandatory year-long Marriage Education program, Fiona Sheehan believes that her life can’t get any worse. Then she marries her “husband”: Jerky jock Todd, whose cheerleader girlfriend, Amanda, has had it in for Fiona since day one of second grade. Even worse? Amanda is paired with Fiona’s long-term crush, Gabe. At least Fiona is doing better than her best friend, Marcie, who is paired up with the very quiet, very mysterious Johnny Mercer. Pranks, fights, misunderstandings, and reconciliations ensue in an almost Shakespearean comedy of errors about mistaken first impressions, convoluted coupling, and hidden crushes.

Review:

After Some Girls Are’s emotional, heart-jerking journey on high school life, A Match Made in High School was tear-jerking…as I rolled around the floor laughing.

Fiona and the other seniors are shackled in their prison of high school to take a marriage education course, to deter the increasing number of (ahem) playboys and cheating husbands and messy love affairs. Fiona strikes up the funniest and most hilarious “marriage” relation with Todd Harding, a jock.

The hilarity and Fiona’s authentic, sarcastic tone and character really kept the ball moving. The premise was really unique and caught my attention…I mean seriously, a marriage course? How cool would that be (I actually would love it, better than solving math equations or analyzing characters). Fiona really is a fearless and outgoing girl with a humorous mind full of pranks and “insults”. In addition, her journals are hilarious, not only of the actual stories they tell (ah, I love her take on her uncle and Alan) but also the way she explains it. I also loved the fast-paced plot, the twist and turns, the shocking news. There was no time to breathe after laughing.

I have to give it to Walker in emulating the perfect, snarky teenage tone. There are some adult authors, I am sorry, who imitate teenagers into bratty kids (which sometimes we are) or emotionally disturbed and emo kids. Walker really does well in creating the hilarious banters high-schoolers and the sense of sexual humor and innuendos of the pranks and the innuendos. I also actually liked Fiona, even though she was very very selfish in the beginning, which you could tell right away. Even though I hated her a bit in the beginning, her development and the resolution really compensated all the “shaking her shoulders to get her in her right mind” I wanted to do. I actually liked Todd, from the beginning. Even though he was introduced as a jerk by Fiona, I actually grew to like him better than Fiona, because underneath all the insults and pranks, he seemed to actually care for Fiona.

In addition, the themes of looking beneath all the stereotypes of jocks, cheerleaders, dark and mysterious boys, was clearly portrayed well. And the theme of love…and marriage of course. How marriage is really another obstacle to face and is not full of love as they show in those soap operas. I actually felt bad for Principle Miller and got her purpose and her hurtful past.

I actually liked the ending. In the beginning, I was thinking something differently, maybe because I’ve been watching too many Asian dramas, in which you already know who’s going to end up with who. But I was satisfied with the ending and it really tied a nice bow at the end of this hilarious gift.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 4.5/5

The cover is really cute and I think the little puzzle blocks get the sense of the matching in the marriage. Also, the different teenagers show the diversity of high school. However, I’m not sure which one is Fiona. I’m guessing the one on the far left, but she isn’t wearing glasses…so hmm.

Overall: 4/5

If you have a depressing life or just read a depressing book, read this because for sure you will be laughing out loud (please be cautious if you’re reading this book in a public place). Walker does an outstanding job as a debut author to create the snarky and hilarious tone of teenagers. I cannot wait to see what else Walker brings into the YA world.

Hush, Hush Sequel Cover Revealed!

2010-04-10T12:59:00.000-11:00

OMG! This is THE most intense cover I have ever seen and it just makes the wait more excruciating. I absolutely am loving the cover, the thunder the rain, and the one lone red angel wing feather amongst the dark skies. I cannot wait for this to come out in November 16, 2010! (TOO LONG!)

The synopsis of Crescendo is:

Nora should have known her life was far from perfect. Despite starting a relationship with her guardian angel, Patch (who, title aside, can be described as anything but angelic), and surviving an attempt on her life, things are not looking up. Patch is starting to pull away and Nora can't figure out if it's for her best interest or if his interest has shifted to her arch-enemy, Marcie Millar. Not to mention that Nora is haunted by images of her father and she becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened to him that night he left for Portland and never came home.

The further Nora delves into the mystery of her father's death, the more she comes to question if her Nephilim bloodline has something to do with it as well as why she seems to be in danger more than the average girl. Since Patch isn't answering her questions and seems to be standing in her way, she has to start finding the answers on her own. Relying too heavily on the fact that she has a guardian angel puts Nora at risk again and again. But can she really count on Patch or is he hiding secrets darker than she can even imagine?

So what do you think of the cover?

Harry Potter Theme Park

2010-04-04T13:56:00.000-11:00

I personally cannot wait for the Harry Potter Theme Park! It's opening June 18th (Only 2 months left!), right after school ends. I personally would love to go (and I really hope so too!), but my parents are a bit wary, saying there will be tons of people and other crazy fans there.

Here are some other pictures of the theme park.

Flight of the Hippogriff (Harry Potter rollarcoaster)

Honeydukes

Dragon Challange (based on Triwizard Tournament)

Also in the Ellen Show, Ellen and two lucky kids (soo envious) got an exclusive tour of the new Harry Potter theme park.

You can watch the video here.

I personally would love to go to Honeydukes (yum...sweets). I'm also a huge rollar coaster fan so I cannot wait to ride these cool rollercoasters. Sigh...this is the closest I can get to Hogwarts (cry...where's my letter?!)

So are you planning to go?

In My Mailbox (7)

2010-04-04T04:59:00.000-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (Reading):

A Match Made in High School by Kristin Walker (Hilarious!)

Won:

Numbers by Rachel Ward (Thanks, Book Crazy!)

Even though I didn't get much, I'm still excited over these new releases! And remember to enter my 75 Followers Contest!

And Happy Easter for those of you who celebrate it!

Fashion Friday (3-Wish)

2010-04-02T05:00:00.000-11:00

I haven't done this in a while, so sorry for the inconsistency. I decided to do Wish because I felt that fashion does play a big part in the story, not plotwise, but they mention clothes a lot (there's even a fashion show) and also because I felt really bad after putting a meh review of Wish. I hope you still read it though :) And sorry in advance if there are too many Korean pictures...I don't know any other fashion blogs :(

I felt that the left picture was more Violet's style, rather than Olivia. Olivia is more of the conservative, sweater type of girl (like me), while Violet wears the vest and skirts. The pose of the actress, with the combination of the hat, vest, and skirt, really makes her flirtatious and fashionable.

I think the image on the right is more for Calla. She's the rich and very very fashionable girl, but when she was first described in the book I felt like she was a hippie because (correct me if I'm wrong) but she was meditation or doing yoga, so I like the addition of the headband.

I think not only are they a cute couple, but in my mind they represent Soren and Olivia. I think the matching sweaters in the top really match their personalities, especailly Olivia's. Olivia isn't the type to wear heels or dresses so I thought the hoddie and plain jeans have a cute flair to it. For Soren, I think the bottom pictures is more of the skater type I imagine him in, especially with the shoes.

And finally, I think this is a great match for Olivia's dress. The sparkles and the plain black really will really bring out the magical aspect of the dress. I also think the plain black effect will bring out her beauty but won't be too flamboyant.

Tell me your opinions and hope you enjoyed today's Fashion Friday!

Some Girls Are Review

2010-03-31T03:17:00.000-11:00

Title: Some Girls Are
Author: Courtney Summers
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Published Date: January 2010
Price: Amazon ($9.99)
Synopsis:

Climbing to the top of the social ladder is hard--falling from it is even harder. Regina Afton used to be a member of the Fearsome Fivesome, an all-girl clique both feared and revered by the students at Hallowell High... until vicious rumors about her and her best friend's boyfriend start going around.

Now Regina's been "frozen out" and her ex-best friends are out for revenge. If Regina was guilty, it would be one thing, but the rumors are far from the terrifying truth and the bullying is getting more intense by the day. She takes solace in the company of Michael Hayden, a misfit with a tragic past who she herself used to bully. Friendship doesn't come easily for these onetime enemies, and as Regina works hard to make amends for her past, she realizes Michael could be more than just a friend... if threats from the Fearsome Foursome don't break them both first.

Tensions grow and the abuse worsens as the final days of senior year march toward an explosive conclusion in this dark new tale from the author of Cracked Up To Be.

Review:

Some Girls Are…NOT fluffy, cotton candy girls riding the Ferris wheel. Courtney Summers creates a mirror, cracked and grafittied on, of bullying, rumors, gossip, and takes backstabbing to a new level. Every pain and emotion, including the sweet but bitter taste of revenge of not only Regina, but also all the secondary characters is felt by the reader. Every punch to the stomach, every hurtful accusation, and every want for understanding and love.

The Fearsome Five, the elite, but meanest clique of the school, casts out of one of its members, Regina Afton, wrongly accused of sleeping with her best friend’s boyfriend. Vicious rumors, hard-core bullying, and being outcast as a pariah and a slut, creates a whole cycle of cruel accusations and harassment. Regina Afton is far from the perfect friend, not your usual heroine who keeps her head down and tries to make the world a better place. Ok, so you know how everyone says if you go for revenge, you’re going to hurt yourself, but rarely have we wanted to heed to this wise advice. This is why all the characters seem realistic, even though they all come off as mean and villains. Regina doesn’t just want to sit tight and wait for a higher heavenly force to punish the gang, but does it herself and laughs like a hyena (really, she does that a lot) afterwards. However, Regina isn’t just a mean girl; she’s a pack of emotions, a range of personalities, nice, and mean. There were so many times when I wanted to strangle her neck for being so stupid and mean and ARGH, but then there were a lot of times when I want to pat her on her back and sympathize with her. All of the characters, even Kara, who instigated this whole rumor, you hate them because they’re so cruel, but you feel sorry for them because once upon a time, they were victims too of the high school horror.

I don’t know how to really describe this book. This book is just beyond words for me. Emotionally, it really just changed my perspective of what bullying is. And the heart-wrenching romance and relation between Michael and Regina was just…wow. The language Summers creates the characters, the first point perspective of Regina is an emotional turmoil.

One thing I have to complain is the ending. Not that it needed a sequel, but it was way too rushed. The climax happened and then it leaped to the resolution without any real development. I felt that there could have been some filler in between.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 5/5

Cover: 3.5/5

Funny story is when I found the cover in other blogs I thought it was a barn with the red color and the book was about farming. Lol. I like the red locker and it relates to the story due to its symbolic significance. But it isn’t a cover I would have picked up on my first look.

Overall: 5/5

The book doesn’t really need to be constituted in words. It’s just that emotionally traumatic, and for me, personally, it opened my eyes to how scary high school teenagers are and what bullying is, even though we are always warned by teachers to report bullying. If you’re up for an emotional journey (and please be warned that you WILL get addicted…I was carrying this everywhere while I was shopping), Some Girls Are is for you.

Waiting on Wednesdays (7)

2010-03-31T03:08:00.002-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Paranormalcy
Author: Kiersten White
Publishing Date: October 1, 2010
Synopsis:

Sixteen-year-old Evie's job is bagging and tagging paranormals. Possessing the strange ability to see through their glamours, she works for the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But when someone--or something--starts taking out the vamps, werewolves, and other odd beasties she's worked hard to help become productive members of society, she's got to figure it out before they all disappear and the world becomes utterly normal.

Normal is so overrated.

Character Introduction (from Kiersten White's site)

My name's Evie. I work for the IPCA. Yeah, the International Paranormal Containment Agency. But don't worry, I'm not a vamp or werewolf or faerie or anything. And I don't kill them, either. Just bag and tag. After all, we're not out to eliminate them--just to neuter them. Sorry, IPCA joke. We don't actually neuter them, because, well, yuck. We just help them live harmlessly among humans. Sometimes they don't want the help, but we give it to them anyway. Think of us as the UN, if the UN carried tasers and silver knives.

So you're probably wondering why a sixteen-year-old girl is the prize possession of IPCA. I'm sure you know all about glamours--most paranormals have them, meaning normal people (okay, everyone else in the world except me) can't see what they really are. But there's no fooling me; I can see through to what they are underneath. Trust me: all of this nonsense about vampires being sexy? NOT. TRUE.

So that's my life. Or, it was, until paranormals started dying and something unlike anything we'd seen before broke into the Center and changed everything...

My Thoughts:

The cover is absolutely stunning and dark. The storm clouds and the beautiful model in the wide field just creates this really dark aura, that I am sure will fit the novel. Also, the premise seems really unique, girl taking care of werewolves and vampires. I've heard there's a lot of romance in it, so can't wait to read this!

Forbidden Love-Love it or Flop?

2010-03-29T16:15:00.001-11:00

Ok, so I had to go off on a tangent about this whole issue of “forbidden love” and whether to other readers, if it really is a plot line that attracts people and creates a ride of emotions.

The concept of Forbidden Love is hitting its peak in popularity, creating intense fan groups, and getting movie companies excited in creating the bittersweet movie that teenage girls would swoon over, but is it too overrated?

For example, take Twilight for instance. Edward and Bella…either the best romantic couple ever or the worst and most cliché. For me, it’s in the middle of the road, they’re very sweet together, even though Bella needs to stop being a whiny ARGH and Edward needs to stop being so “I’m too bad for you” and waste a book on his mellow and low self-esteem issues (even though I love Jacob! Team Jacob!). I understand where Edward comes from, saying oh, I killed a lot of people, so I’m not perfect for you. But, seriously, so he’s not perfect. Big deal! No one is perfect and he needs to stop being so conceited in thinking he should be, but rather just accept that he’s irrevocably in love with Bella and Bella is in love with him and they can have a happy future, that since they both love each other like soulmates, they should accept it and really enjoy their lives, instead of mulling over how bad they are for the other person or how they’re not meant to be together.

And recently I’ve been watching a lot of Asian dramas and it annoys me so much when the woman protagonist tries to get away from the male protagonist, even though they both love each other. She keeps making up little, petty excuses saying how she’s older than him or saying she’s not rich enough for him. I get it if it lasts for a few episodes, but if that’s the whole plot or it’s half of the season…UGH!

So, I wanted to ask you guys of you opinions. Do you guys adore the concept of forbidden love or do you guys think it’s a flop?

75 Followers Contest!

2010-03-28T11:43:00.000-11:00

This is it! The 75 Followers Contest. I want to thank every one of my followers and readers for sticking with me, even though for the past weeks I have not been on. During spring break, I hope I can catch back to the flow of reading and blogging.

Since many of you said you wanted multiple winners (I would want multiple winners too!). So I decided I have two winners win one book from the pile of 2010 Releases I chose and a winner who wins swag. Sorry, but contest is only open to US and Canada (Next time, when I have more money :(, I'll make it international!)

So here are the choice of books:

Mockingjay (Will Pre-Order)
A Match Made in High School
The Body Finder
Hex Hall
Princess for Hire
The Iron King
Radiant Shadows (Will Pre-Order)
Heist Society
Spells (Will Pre-Order)
Bleeding Violet
The Mark
The Line

And the third winner gets swag that I've won in previous contests: (Will upload picture later...need to find cable!)

Intertwined Bookmark
The Summoning Bookmark
Three Days to Dead Bookmark (Signed)

Contest Information:

Open to US and Canada only
Ends April 30th (Hope it gives you enough time!)
Fill out this FORM

Extra Entries:

+3 Old Follower
+1 New Follower
+1 Tweet
+1 Sidebar
+3 Blog Post
+15 Button for Movie Poster Monday
+15 Button for Fashion Friday

If I choose your button for Movie Poster Monday and/or Fashion Friday, I will add in 15 extra entries for you myself (Do not put this in the form.) Email it to tuningintoyabooks(at)gmail(dot)com.

Good luck to all and please email me if there are any problems!

Candor Review

2010-03-28T05:19:00.001-11:00

Title: Candor
Author: Pam Bachorz
Publisher: EgmontUSA
Published Date: September 2009
Pages: 256
Synopsis:

Oscar Banks has everything under control. In a town
where his father brainwashes everyone, he's found a way
to secretly fight the subliminal Messages. He's got them
all fooled: Oscar's the top student and the best-behaved
teen in town. Nobody knows he's made his own Messages
to deprogram his brain. Oscar has even found a way to
get rich. For a hefty price, he helps new kids escape
Candor, Florida before they're transformed into
cookie-cutter teens. But then Nia Silva moves to Candor,
and Oscar's carefully-controlled world crumbles.

Review:

Oh my god. What in the world was that ending?!?! *SCREAMS* *FLIPS THROUGH THE BOOK FOR SECRET MESSAGES AND PAGES* WHERE IS THE ENDING?!

Lol, I’m sorry but I just had to rant about the ending…I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, but the ending leaves a huge gaping hole and just makes you drop your jaw because it transitions way too smoothly into it and doesn’t leave any tantalizing hints or emotions.

Candor is not only a dystopian society book, but a scary and horrifying revelation of what really happens when parents want their children to be perfect and mold them into the perfect child image. I really praise Bachorz for developing the characters really well, not into sobbing or happy characters, but what they really are …mindless robots. Also, there was one incident when Oscar’s father vide tapes Oscar, which is right on target with the "police" parents, how they look through your computer history or call you every time to see where you are. In Candor, the line between caring and policing is blurred as parents want their children to become perfect, while being emotionless. I love the premise of the novel and the plot because it is a science-fiction but it has a theme of what really constitutes perfect that affects every teens, as we all know, parents want to monitor the teenage life, worrying they’ll do all sorts of drugs and gang violence. Sometimes, the writing fell flat contrasting to the action of the book, but otherwise I really did love this unique idea of what it really means to be a “caring” parent.

The character development, or more like how much I liked the characters, wasn’t that great for me. I didn’t really look forward to the romance between Nia and Oscar. It just felt flat to me, nothing interesting or bittersweet about it. It was way too much of a “love at first sight” and I wanted to see more of teenage angst of love, which in turn would contrast them from the other emotionless teens. I also really didn’t like Nia at all in the beginning. Even though I know she’s supposed to be rebellious and a bit mean, but I felt like even in the relation she was way too controlling and was telling what Oscar should do. However, I did like Oscar, even though he was mean too. How he really cares for Nia and also his troubled past with his mom makes me sympathize him and root for him throughout the book.

The unique plot of molding the perfect child shows the horrifying and scary perspectives of being a “caring and loving” parent. This is not only a dystopian world where we really can't relate to (unless someone traveled in the future and told us this really happens), but has an underlying message in it.

Plot: 4.5/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Cover: 3.5/5

I like the cover and it really is a good depction of the book, with the orange spray paint. I also think the model for this really does represent Oscar. Aesthetically, it isn’t that great though and wouldn’t be luring me to buy the book.

Overall: 4/5

This book is a combination of both science fiction, but with a twist of emotions and a Message to parents (You are what you read. Lol). There are some times I wanted to strangle both Oscar and Nia to shake some kindness into them, but their mean personality really makes them different from the perfect ~~teens~~ robots parents expect their children to be. I really hope there is a sequel because the ending was begging for one. If you want a quick read and not a big fan for science fiction, this book is for you.

In My Mailbox (6)

2010-03-27T16:31:00.002-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed From Library (To Be Read):

Fang by James Patterson (*Fangirl moment!* SO HAPPY!)
Undead Much by Stacey Jay (Loved the first book. Can't wait for more Ethan!)

Borrowed from Library (Reading)

Some Girls Are by Courtney Summers (Loving it! Expect a review soon!)

Won:

Glee Season 1 CD (Thanks, Teens Read and Write!)

I apologize again for disregarding my blog and focusing on school. But starting from today, my spring break STARTED! Yay! So now my life is centered around AP studying and doing HW (D:) and reading and updating my blog...starting from creating the contest! I am so happy with the books I got and cannot wait to start reading them! What books did you get? Leave a comment :)

75 Followers...Time for A Celebration?

2010-03-21T07:16:00.001-11:00

Hey Everyone! So this post is a wee bit overdue from yesterday, but I finally made it to 75 followers! Yeah!, and thanks to every one of my followers who made this happen and encouraged me with comments and praises for my reviews. I couldn't have gone this far without you guys to support me.

First and foremost, I want to beg on my knees and ask for fogiveness for not posting a lot of reviews and memes these past two weeks. I've been really really busy, stressed, upset, disappointed (put in any other negative feeling) about school and grades. Right now, I'm in like my mid-life crisis (not really xD), but I've been trying all my best to bring back the luck I used to have for school. But I have been reading a lot, so just wait for more reviews! (And also, my library just ordered a whole batch of new books, so cannot wait to start on those when they arrive, which I hope is soon!)

I might be gone for this week too, depending on the amount of HW and tests we get (which isn't looking good either), but I will be on frequently the following week, since IT'S SPRING BREAK! WOO HOO! Cannot wait to just relax and erase all the bad memories from school and of course, update my blog (Movie Poster Monday and Fashion Friday are still going on!).

So, to celebrate my goal mark of 75 followers, I'm planning to hold a giveaway, not this week but the week after, when I have time to create forms and other stuff :). I wanted to ask some ideas for giveaways, would you want me to choose a group of books for you to choose from or have the winner pick any book they want? And would you want one winner who wins multiple books or multiple winners with one book each? I hope I can make this contest big, even though I don't have a lot of money :(. Sorry in advance if it falls short of your expectations.

Also, if you're good at web graphics background or HTML, please let me know any good sites. I want to do a makeover soon. :)

And to remind everyone that finally it's warm weather (at least in my area), here is a beautiful spring graphic, NOT created by me (trying to make myself be happy by looking at these pictures ^^).

Wish Review

2010-03-20T09:02:00.001-11:00

Title: Wish
Author: Alexandra Bullen
Publisher: Point
Published Date: January 2010
Price: Amazon ($12.23)
Synopsis:

For broken-hearted Olivia Larsen, nothing can change the fact that her twin sister, Violet, is gone... until a mysterious, beautiful gown arrives on her doorstep. The dress doesn't just look magical; it is magical. It has the power to grant her one wish, and the only thing Olivia wants is her sister back.
With Violet again by her side, both girls get a second chance at life. And as the sisters soon discover, they have two more dresses-and two more wishes left. But magic can't solve everything, and Olivia is forced to confront her ghosts to learn how to laugh, love, and live again. In a breathtaking debut from Alexandra Bullen, Wish asks the question: If you could have anything, what would you wish for?

Review:

A great plot idea that was executed poorly with annoying, moody characters. This really just summed up my long and tiring journey reading Wish. Every time I picked up the book, I looked at the cover, reminded myself of the beauty, and gave myself hope and enthusiasm that maybe there’s an arsenal Bullen is hiding somewhere within the depths of the pages. Alas, it didn’t appear as powerful as I hoped it would be.

I love the emotional aspects intertwined with the magical aspect, even though I hoped there was more of the magic and of Posey. The emotional troubles behind Olivia’s past and her want to be included in society was really executed well. I liked the development of Olivia and how she was a relatable character that any insecure teen could relate to. Her feeling of invisibility and her usual reliance on her sister had a lot of emotion packed into it that the reader could empathize with. Olivia’s emotional journey, with the angst of romance and really living, is a heartbreaking one, especially with the ending. However, the emotional journey just really dragged the book, I am sorry to say. If you were expecting some kind of soap opera or some action with the magical dress, you might be disappointed and will give up in the middle. The book is more of exploring Olivia’s search for her identity, not the shadow of her sister, even though I wish there could have been more variation of her emotions. All of Olivia’s emotions are really mellow in the book, even when she’s with Soren, and I felt like Bullen could have created more romantic excursions with Soren or a subplot with actual action to keep the reader reading.

Soren was way too stereotypical. I really wanted to see more of him, rather than the skater boy type who seems (to me) to be a player. I mean all he really did was comfort Olivia, not really developing his character and making him seem real. On the other hand, I really loved Miles and I wish he was shown more through the book. The emotional troubles as he understands and accepts his lesbian parents make him seem real and more like a teeanger. Regarding Violet…I really really really HATED her. I apologize to those fans out there, but I could not stand her controlling and condescending attitude and personality (*fumes*). She was literally Olivia’s puppeteer and she didn’t even admit her mistake at the end. I know it is part of the plot, but I felt like it was overboard.

Plot: 2.5/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Cover: 5/5

The cover was absolutely stunning, starting from the beautiful model to the star dress and the background (Love the font of the title too! ^^). In my opinion, the model was a great representation for Olivia, her facial expression is not happy or sad, but more like, unsure.

Overall: 3/5

If you picked up Wish expecting a novel full of magic, meddling with it, or a roller coaster of teenage emotions, please erase all those expectations and prepare to go on a flat ride of sadness. Even though I loved Olivia’s character, the sadness and worry just tinged and shadowed the plot and the romance. I love the premise though and I cannot wait to see more upcoming novels from Bullen.

Into The Wild Nerd Yonder Review

2010-03-12T13:49:00.000-11:00

Title: Into The Wild Nerd Yonder
Author: Julie Halpern
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published Date: September 2009
Price: Amazon ($11.55)
Synopsis:

It’s Jessie’s sophomore year of high school. A self-professed “mathelete,” she isn’t sure where she belongs. Her two best friends have transformed themselves into punks and one of them is going after her longtime crush. Her beloved older brother will soon leave for college (and in the meantime has shaved his mohawk and started dating . . . the prom princess!) . . .

Things are changing fast. Jessie needs new friends. And her quest is a hilarious tour through high-school clique-dom, with a surprising stop along the way—the Dungeons and Dragons crowd, who out-nerd everyone. Will hanging out with them make her a nerd, too? And could she really be crushing on a guy with too-short pants and too-white gym shoes? If you go into the wild nerd yonder, can you ever come back?

Review:

Halpern is not an author, but a creator; she is God in Into The Wild Nerd Yonder. Jessie literally became my new best friend, someone I can relate to and confide in. Her personality and character development really jumps off the page with her snarky, but sincere, tone. I loved how Jessie contained all the issues of a teenager, the changing environment, the worry of fitting in and society’s standards, but is humorous, as she almost seems to be talking to the reader, sharing snide remarks and jokes, confiding her insecurities with the reader. I also loved the development of the brother and sister relation between Jessie. Their relation is unique and maybe because I have a younger sister, who I constantly fight with, I found Barrett caring and protecting Jessie was adorable. Usually, I would be disappointed that there was no relationship development or problems between the families. However, I felt that adding it would detract from Jessie’s journey of finding her personality and who she really is. I loved how Halpern used Barrett’s own transformation to date the prom queen to support Jessie in breaking out of her shell, and as a supporting plot device.

I find the D&D a hilarious addition, the whole nerd gang making jokes and playing with each other. And Henry was absolutely adorable, lol, “slushy-blue eyes”. Jessie’s gradual acceptance of being a “nerd” and ignoring all social commentary, and her unique personality, had a great thematic ring to it that I think all teenagers can be related to. Everyone has always been worried about not being included in the “in” group and wanted to be popular. The punk addition and the unique creation of the D&D role playing made this book stand out in developing the theme of self-discovery.

However, I wish the second part of the plot was developed and were dedicated more pages to. I loved the first part, even though there were some sexual references that some people might squirm while reading, but Jessie’s wanting for a different and new life, away from her “friends”. The actual meat of the plot, including the romance between Henry and the budding friendship between Jessie and the rest of the D&D gang was rushed into the last part.

Plot: 3/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 3/5

I loved the combination between the math dodecahedral and the medieval dress. I also just noticed this sadly, the question mark really does symbolize Jessie’s search for her personality. But I felt that the design of the cover as a whole with random dodecahedral flying in the background made the book seem too childish, my first impression, but really the book is quite the opposite.

Overall: 3.5/5

The sarcastic and humorous tone of Jessie’s monologue, which make it seem as if the reader and Jessie are close friends, really make the book enjoyable. Her character development and the execution of the theme of not trying to be “in” was really executed well, without all the corniness. I really do hope that there was more romance between Henry and more narration about the D&D gang.

Waiting on Wednesdays (6)

2010-03-03T12:09:00.000-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Shadow Hills
Author: Anastasia Hopcus
Publishing Date: July 13, 2010
Synopsis:

Since her sister’s mysterious death, Persephone “Phe” Archer has been plagued by a series of disturbing dreams. Determined to find out what happened to her sister, Phe enrolls at Devenish Prep in Shadow Hills, Massachusetts—the subject of her sister’s final diary entry.

After stepping on campus, Phe immediately realizes that there’s something different about this place—an unexplained epidemic that decimated the town in the 1700s, an ancient and creepy cemetery, and gorgeous boy Zach—and somehow she’s connected to it all.

But the more questions she asks and the deeper she digs, the more entangled Phe becomes in the haunting past of Shadow Hills. Finding what links her to this town…might cost her her life.

My Thoughts:

I got a bookmark from A Passion For Books and so obviously I wanted to know the plotline and more about the book. The premise seems so interesting and unique. Ok, yea, we've seen a lot of forbidden love, but I feel like this one will be more bittersweet. But the place Phe goes to and how the boy she likes might be the cause of her sister's death just makes this book really interesting. And we don't even know the secrets yet, whether the secrets are that he's a vampire (bleh :P) or he's the killer, but with a time twist. The plot seems really intense and cannot wait for it to come out!

Movie Poster Monday (3-The Luxe)

2010-03-01T11:55:00.001-11:00

I'm currently reading Splendor even though it's been going towards the bottom of my to-be-read pile since I borrowed too many good books. I've like the first three, a bit like Gossip Girls, but with a historical sense and also a toned down sex/drugs issue. I've loved Henry Schoonmaker, but my favorite character is Teddy! The oh, so sweet and nice boyfriend you can rely on. For Henry, I chose Ed Westwick as the match. I've never seen Gossip Girls (never even actually saw the show at all), but I thought his appearence best matched Henry's player and cad type of personality, but drop-dead handsome. For Will, I thought Lucas Till was a good match, even though Till is towards the younger side. Till's country and the soft country boy style fits Will perfectly. (And for Teddy, even though I couldn't fit him in the poster, I thought Logan Lerman's nice and reliable boy look was best. And I'm sure he can pull off the acting, even though he looks too young for Teddy). For the girls, I had a harder time picking the pictures and the actresses with the Victorian style. The only character that I could match Penelope was Leighton Meester. She has a mean but sexy look to her and I'm sure she can pull Pen's mean character well. I'm sorry for not choosing a lot of variety of actors/actresses (and pick them primarily from Gossip Girls.) The girl in the top middle is my vision of Elizabeth and the top left is Diana. Anyone who wants to help, please tell me! And tell me your opinions! So, here's my made movie poster for The Luxe.

Award Time!

2010-02-26T07:57:00.000-11:00

Yay! I am so happy. My second and third (and technically my fourth awards!) Special thanks to Nelle from Book Check, Little Miss Becky from Stories and Sweeties, and Spellbound by Books! Thanks for your encouragments, your comments, and your support to all of my followers! Also, maye some of you were wondering why didn't I have a 50 followers giveaway? Well, I decided I should wait until I get 75 and have a bigger one, when I have more money and more prizes to giveaway! So just wait a little bit longer (I hope it's not too long!).

The Happy 101 Award was given to me by Nelle from Book Check! Thank you so much!

The rules are that I should list ten things that make me happy and then pass it to 10 other bloggers.

Reading at Barnes and Noble
JR Celski (US Short Track Skater of Winter Olympics 2010)
Snow days (Obviously, I like having no school, but the surprise of it always make it better)
Asian dramas (My fantasy away from life)
Summer (No school, going to the beach, weather, my birthday!)
Traveling (to California, Korea, Las Vegas. I hope I can go to Europe soon!)
K-pop music
Hanging out with my friends
Ice skating (<3 Kim Yuna!)
Theme Parks (Cannot wait for the new Harry Potter theme park this spring!)

I would like to pass this award along to:

Natalie @ Mindful Musings
Little Miss Becky from Stories and Sweeties
Spellbound by Books
Lea @ YA Book Queen
Becky @ The Bookette
Stephanie @ Juicilicious Reviews
Lori @ Pure Imagination
Ladybug @ Escape In A Book
Sammee @ I Want to Read That
YA Vampire Books

The One Lovely Blog Award was given to me by Little Miss Becky from Stories and Sweeties and Spellbound by Books. Thank you so much!

The rules are:

Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered.
Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award!

I would like to pass this award along to:

Sharon @ Sharon Loves Books and Cats
Mandy @ edge of seventeen
Jami @ YA Addict
Nelle @ Book Check
Morgan @ Smitten With Books
Lori @ Escape Between the Pages
Caitlin @ Vision Quest Fail
Nicole @ Who, What, When, Where, Why
Melanie @ Melanie's Musings
Lizzy @ Cornucopia of Reviews
Lauren @ I was a teenage book geek
Nikki @ Wicked Awesome Books
vvb32 @ vvb32 reads
RavenousReader @ Tale of the Ravenous Reader
Ah Yuan @ GAL Novelty

Whew, that took a long time. I tried to give the awards to blogs that I don't think have these awards. I'll start commenting and sending emails ASAP. Now time to study for Science Olympiad and watch men short track :)

Perfect Chemistry Review

2010-02-25T13:34:00.000-11:00

Title: Perfect Chemistry
Author: Simon Elkeles
Publisher: Walker Books for Young Readers
Published Date: January 2008
Price: Amazon ($9.99)
Synopsis:

A fresh, urban twist on the classic tale of star-crossed lovers.
When Brittany Ellis walks into chemistry class on the first day of senior year, she has no clue that her carefully created “perfect” life is about to unravel before her eyes. She’s forced to be lab partners with Alex Fuentes, a gang member from the other side of town, and he is about to threaten everything she's worked so hard for—her flawless reputation, her relationship with her boyfriend, and the secret that her home life is anything but perfect. Alex is a bad boy and he knows it. So when he makes a bet with his friends to lure Brittany into his life, he thinks nothing of it. But soon Alex realizes Brittany is a real person with real problems, and suddenly the bet he made in arrogance turns into something much more. In a passionate story about looking beneath the surface, Simone Elkeles breaks through the stereotypes and barriers that threaten to keep Brittany and Alex apart.

Review:

This book was literally burning in my hands with the sparks that flew out of the page. The reincarnation of Romeo and Juliet combined with the modern West Side Story has the bittersweet romance, the theme of the constriction of society’s watchful eyes, and the alternating point of views between Alex and Brittany that make the book stand out. The depth of the characters explored creates a connection with the readers, as they feel the character's pain in trying to pursue love.

Elkeles created Alex into a real person, someone who’s relatable and human. Too many times has the hero been flawless and perfect. But Alex’s pain and sorrow at being the head of the family, while resenting the fact, creates depth into the character, wanting to run away from the duty of family, in contrast to a flat character, who hates being the patriarch. The flirtatious and bad boy façade he creates starts to dissolve during the plotline, shown through his interactions with Brittany. The character development was just amazing, slowly but significantly. Elkeles really did an outstanding job in depicting Alex’s two characters, the sensitive and conflicted boy to the harsh and strong man. Also, a minor character that provided depth and hoped I could see more of is Alex’s mom. She obviously doesn’t want her son to suffer, but wants to also protect her family as a whole, working for the common good, even ignoring her suffering of her husband’s death.

Brittany is the cheerleader, popular girl in school trying to live perfectly. However, her family’s distant relations and her disabled sister is the other life that she has, the life where she has to live through her family’s silent dinner, her mother’s nagging, and the impending decision to send her sister to a “nursing” home. Brittany’s pressure to be perfect, trying to please her parents whereas Shelley cannot, is tangible as you feel empathetic towards her as she starts to break society’s standards. You also didn’t feel exasperated by her whining or her stubbornness to break out of her perfecrt façade. As a side note, I didn’t really like the dialogue between Brittany and her family. I felt as if the writing didn’t really flow and their talking seemed way too cliché. I wanted to see more emotions within the word choice.

The romance was also more on the realistic side. At first, it may seem like love at first sight, like Romeo and Juliet, but their love really grows when Alex and Brittany learn about each other’s conflicts and sensitive side. I really loved the gradual progession of love, with the chemistrying energizing it and making you root for their success.

Plot: 4.5/5

Characters: 5/5

Cover: 3.5/5

The cover is simple, but I love the contrast and the models posing for it, as they accurately depict Brittany and Alex for me.

Overall: 5/5

You think you might know Romeo and Juliet’s plot by heart, but Elkele’s unique twist with the character’s realistic aspects, with their flaws and want to break out of community’s standards, create a friendship between the reader and the characters. Elkele’s brilliant writing helps convey the romance and sorrow shared between them. I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel, Rules of Attraction, to come out in April!

In My Mailbox (5)

2010-02-21T04:51:00.001-11:00

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read)

Mirrorscape by Mike Wilks
Hazel by Julie Hearn

Contest

Daniel X Watch The Skies by James Patterson and Ned Rust (from Young Adult Book Central)
Perfect Shot by Debbie Rigaud (from The Book Cellar)

I'm excited to add these books to my To-Be-Read Pile (even though it's already big!). Also, I am not sure I can do a Movie Poster this Monday because I have Science Olympiad I did not study for at all. So sorry :(

What did you get in your mailbox?

Silver Phoenix Review

2010-02-20T14:33:00.000-11:00

Title: Silver Phoenix
Author: Cindy Pon
Publisher: HarperTeen'
Published Date: April 2009
Price: Amazon ($12.23)
Synopsis:

No one wanted Ai Ling. And deep down she is relieved—despite the dishonor she has brought upon her family—to be unbetrothed and free, not some stranger's subservient bride banished to the inner quarters.

But now, something is after her. Something terrifying—a force she cannot comprehend. And as pieces of the puzzle start to fit together, Ai Ling begins to understand that her journey to the Palace of Fragrant Dreams isn't only a quest to find her beloved father but a venture with stakes larger than she could have imagined.

Bravery, intelligence, the will to fight and fight hard . . . she will need all of these things. Just as she will need the new and mysterious power growing within her. She will also need help.

It is Chen Yong who finds her partly submerged and barely breathing at the edge of a deep lake. There is something of unspeakable evil trying to drag her under. On a quest of his own, Chen Yong offers that help . . . and perhaps more.

Review:

Silver Phoenix is an exotic, traditional Chinese fantasy with the romance and strong protagonist that sets it apart from historical fictions. The fantasy aspects of the evil spirits and the adventure Ai Ling goes on is characterized very well with Pon’s excellent description of China’s beautiful land. Ai Ling, on a journey to rescue her father, has obstacles from her past life, in which a man falls in a fateful love with her. As she is about to be defeated, Chen Yong supports her as he looks for his own identity and past. Their pasts and their futures are intertwined and written by the future.

The plot’s originality with the combination of the well developed characters creates a page-turning tale. The fantasy creatures and spirits that attack Ai Ling are described so well that made me shiver as I imagined maggots on a person’s face (it really did happen). Also, the different stages of the journey don’t lag in action, and even if nothing happens, Pon creates an aura of suspense as anything might attack the characters. The beauty of the landscape and the setting, including the yummily delicious food (I was drooling while I was reading this) portray the Chinese setting that you might not know about.

I also love the characters and the chemistry between Ai Ling and Chen Yong. Ai Ling’s character development is created very well, from a naïve girl who’s closeted within her protective family to a woman who’s experienced evil beyond imagination, death (I won’t say whose because there are a few), and the harsh measures against women’s inferiority. Ai Ling is able to not only able to rise up from these challenges but also keep her head up as she learns how to defy the woman’s boundaries within her husband’s house. However, I felt a little bit more dialogue could keep the story more paced and express Ai Ling better. Chen Yong’s supportive and deep, emotional past created a great supporting character. Zhong Ye, the antagonist, could have been developed better, maybe going deeper into his past. I felt a tugging notion that maybe he isn’t all that bad and the insults and shun he receives from others in the past created Zhong Ye’s evil nature.

Another feature that the book can be developed on is Ai Ling’s past and the pendant. I thought we could learn more about Silver Phoenix and why she decided to sacrificed her life. I also wanted to learn more about the pendant and where all the power to save her came from.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 5/5

I initially picked up the book because of the cover. The striking dress and the pendant, with the colorful background, make this one of the books that I would buy just to look at the cover. Even though it is very colorful that it does blind you a bit, the pretty Asian model, which her fierceness can represent Ai Ling, helps me picture her.

Overall: 4/5

The book’s original plot, with the fantasy elements and the evil spirits that you’ll probably never meet if you traveled back in time to China, creates a unique novel. I also love the combination of the adventure and the romance, even though I wish Chen Yong’s feeling could be reciprocated and is shown more. This is one book you can judge by the cover and I cannot wait for the sequel this fall!

Fashion Friday (2-Hunger Games)

2010-02-19T11:28:00.000-11:00

Fashion Friday is creating a fashion wardrobe and picking out clothes that I would think a character would wear based on the type of personality Using pictures from different magazine, such as Vogue or Elle, or from model shows, I will usually pick out one or two types of outfits, and even accessories or shoes. I hope everyone enjoys it and if you have any suggestion or fashion websites, please feel free to tell me! Also, I am planning to create a button very soon (or if you're great at button making, please help me :)).

First off, I wanted to say sorry for the lack of posts this week. I've been either watching the Olympics or doing homework, but I'm reading a lot of books currently. This week, I decided to do the The Hunger Games series. Instead of creating a wardrobe for their time in the Games, which would probably be athletic skin-tight clothes, I decided to create clothes they would wear casually. I couldn't find a dress similar to the mockingjay dress she was wearing, so please give your suggestions!

For Katniss, I wanted to choose a tomboy style, but with an air of chick and rebellious. I think the clothes on the left with the opened up plaid collared shirt and the faded jeans will fit perfectly for Katniss. It is not extravagant or like a princess style, but it portrays a sexiness within her. Also, the clothes have an aura of rebellion, with the open shirt and cut up jeans, as if she isn't trying to be too formal or casual. I also think that the clothes on the left, with the vest and the belt, portray a boyish style, with an underlying classy look.

Peeta is the nice and "church" boy and to me carries a sense of innocence. I think the casual-formal wear is not too formal to create Peeta into an arrogant character who thinks he's superior of everything else, but a nice clothes that are business casual. The collared shirt, the clean blue jeans, and the cardigan/sweater has the amiable boy look., conforming into society with its clean looks, but isn't too formal as it portrays his childlike innocence.

Ah. Gale, the rebellious and "sexy" guy. I think of Gale as the motorcycle guy, lol. Maybe he's put into a big contrast against Peeta, the guy who keeps his head down and tries to conform into society, but to me Gale seems the one to take risks. I thought the leather jacket and the baggy jeans create the sexy, but dangerous looking guy. Also, with his shirt and jacket open, it portrays Gale's rebellious nature, as if he doesn't care what the Capitol says about his dress code.

That's it for today's Fashion Friday. Comment and tell me what you think of it, whether you think it's on the spot or way off and want to rant :). Also, PLEASE GIVE SUGGESTIONS for Movie Poster Monday and Fashion Friday! Thanks and I hope you enjoyed it!

In My Mailbox (4) and Olympics

2010-02-15T04:44:00.001-11:00

Hey everyone! Sorry for not being online for awhile. I've been really busy and out of town particiapating in a Model UN conference. So I haven't had the time to read or write reviews. Sorry ^^ But this week, I was able to get tons of books from the library because all the books I put for hold came in and I'm so excited to start it.

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read)

Beautiful Creatures by Kimi Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Player's Ruse by Hilari Bell
Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn
The Pale Assassin by Patricia Elliot
Blood Ninja by Nick Lake
Into the Wild Nerd Yonder by Julie Halpern
Candor by Pam Bachorz

Borrowed from Library (Reading)

Wish by Alexandra Bullen (Yay! My first 2010 Debut Author Book)
Perfect Chemistry by Simon Elkeles

This is quite a lot of books I'm going to have to start and finish reading, which is going to be challenging to do since school is already starting this week after that second "winter break" and wanting to watch the Olympics....

I started watching the 2010 Olympics from the opening ceremony and I absolutely cannot wait to watch more short track speed skating and figure skating. What sports do you follow in the Winter Olympics?

I watched the first day of short track speed skating with Apollo Ohno and J.R. Celski (whom I developed a soft spot). Even though I am very happy for Team USA to win two medals I didn't really think it was really a competition with the two Koreans tripping and falling at the last second. I feel sooo bad for the two Koreans and also Ohno and Celski got a lot of luck because they weren't even close to the first place Korean skater. But, kudos to them! I also love watching figure skating, but particularly I'm watching the Korean figure skater, Kim YuNa and cannot wait to see her perform!

Images: Medal Ceremony for 1500 m. Short Track Speed Skating (Top) and Kim Yuna (Bottom)

Waiting on Wednesdays (5)

2010-02-10T12:47:00.000-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Rules of Attraction
Author: Simon Elkeles
Publishing Date: April 27, 2010
Synopsis:

New sparks will fly in the sequel to Simone Elkeles’s breakout book Perfect Chemistry
When Carlos Fuentes returns to America after living in Mexico for a year, he doesn’t want any part of the life his older brother, Alex, has laid out for him at a high school in Colorado. Carlos likes living his life on the edge and wants to carve his own path—just like Alex did. Then he meets Kiara Westford. She doesn’t talk much and is completely intimidated by Carlos’ wild ways. As they get to know one another, Carlos assumes Kiara thinks she’s too good for him, and refuses to admit that she might be getting to him. But he soon realizes that being himself is exactly what Kiara needs right now.
With new characters to fall in love with and the same hot romance found in Perfect Chemistry, Simone Elkeles has crafted another sure-fire hit for teens.

My Thoughts:

I am reading the first book, Perfect Chemistry, and I am absolutely loving it! It's such a bitttersweet romance novel and has a lot of emotion packed into it. I cannot wait for the sequel and I heard Brittany/Alex comes back. However, I am a little bit wary that the book might be too much of a repeat, but we'll just have to see!

Also, I am so sorry for the lack of reviews. Even with the snow, I had a lot of work to make up. More reviews will be on their way, even though I will probably be sparse from the internet from tomorrow to Sunday. Sorry again :(

Movie Poster Monday (2-Hush, Hush)

2010-02-08T11:53:00.000-11:00

I've heard some rumors for an upcoming movie for Hush, Hush so I really hope they choose a great cast (sorry, Robert Pattinson and Kristin Stewart fans, I really have given up on the movies, except for Taylor Lautner!). For Nora, I thought Emily Browning would be a great match (I matched her to Tamsin in Once A Witch before here) with her vulnerable look and brown eyes and hair. And I think she'll act brilliantly as Nora, by beginning to understand the angel fantasy, like she did with the ghosts in Uninvited. For Patch, I really had a hard time choosing a great actor for him. When I was looking throguh some dream casts, there was the chance of Ben Barnes (Prince Caspian), but I didn't really think he had the "hotness" (in my opinion, sorry fangirls!) for Patch. So, I decided to try Aaron Johnson and even though he might have too much of a softness in his face, I think with enough makeup, he can characterize Patch well. (By the way, I was thinking Gaspard Ulliel, but that was way too much Twilight with Emily Browning).

Without further ado, here's my movie poster! Again, if you want to help improve my poor Photoshop skills, please let me know!

Model UN Absence

2010-02-07T07:20:00.000-11:00

Hey everyone! I wanted to let everyone know from Thursday to Monday, I might not be on because I am going to be participating in NAIMUN (North American Invitational Model UN)! This is my first time doing this and I am so excited to participate in this. Since I procrastinated a lot, I need to focus a lot on my proposal paper and researching. My topic is Slumization and Woman's Rights Violations in War Zones.

But I'll still be posting up reviews and my memes by setting it to automatically post it on the day. For my upcoming movie poster I decided to do Hush, Hush, since I really want to see this as a movie (and not be terrible as Twilight, sorry Twilight fans!). And I haven't decided what to do for Fashion Friday yet so please tell me some suggestions!

Again, sorry in advance! And if anyone has done Model UN, please feel free to share some advice or experience :)

The Devouring Review

2010-02-06T10:19:00.000-11:00

Title: The Devouring
Author: Simon Holt
Publisher: Little Brown Young Readers
Published Date: September 2008
Price: Amazon ($7.99)
Synopsis:

When Reggie finds an old journal and reads about the Vours, supernatural creatures who feast on fear and attack on the eve of the winter solstice, she assumes they are just the musings of some lunatic author. But soon, they become a terrifying reality when she begins to suspect that her timid younger brother might be one of their victims.

Risking her life and her sanity, Reggie enters a living nightmare to save the people she loves. Can she devour own her fears before they devour her?

Bone-chilling, terrifying, thrilling...what are you waiting for?

Review:

Before I begin my review, I need to develop my “position” on horror books and movies. I probably am on the different end of the spectrum of horror tolerance than others. Last summer at a party, someone decided to bring The Grudge 3 and the horror just didn't end there for me. Let’s just say, I couldn’t practice the violin in the dark basement without seeing hallucinations of the bloody girl.

I started The Devouring around the Winter Solstice at 12 AM (while procrastinating on homework). I couldn’t sleep that whole night as the Vours gave me nightmares, and I couldn’t even stand looking out in the dark expanse outside my window. Reggie, a horror fan, tells her younger brother, Henry, the story of the Vours. Like many other protagonists in horror movies, she doesn’t realize the reality behind the story until it is too late, when the Vours actually take control of Henry and create him into a monster.

The fearscape and “Henry’s” chilling tone, which the Vour creates a perfect, but cracked image of an innocent child, makes the reader more disgusted and scared. Holt’s horrific descriptions when he descries the Vour's manipulation of the fears make you almost feel it yourself. I personally thought Henry’s fearscape was gory and bloody, reminding me of Saw (even though I’ve personally never watched it). However, the horror of the gruesome hallucinations starts to recede once the reader gets accustomed to it. I wished there was a more psychological terror to the book, creating suspense for the readers. Movies like The Ring (watched 20 minutes of it and freaked out) or Paranormal Activity (never watched it, but heard a lot about it) base its success on the unknown evil, the suspense in which you can’t control what happens to you and just has to wait and see how the higher powers will manipulate fate. After Reggie finds more about the Vours and she learns how to play with them, I got bored by it and the ending was too predictable.

I also thought character development was much needed, since the reader should experience the same fear as the protagonist. For example, even though I knew Reggie is a horror fan, I thought she overcame her fears way too quickly making her more like Superwoman who comes to rescue the day. I also thought Reggie’s personality isn’t delved into too much, in which all the readers know about is she likes good-looking guys, even if they are jerks (*cough cough* Quinn) and cares for her brother deeply. On the other hand, I thought Henry’s insecurity and fear is crafted very well since I felt sympathy and sadness for Henry’s sufferings.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Cover: 4/5

The cover is so pretty with the purple smoke and the contrast against the black backdrop and Reggie’s pale skin. It portrays the horror aspect of the novel well, especially with the smudged mascara.

Overall: 3.5/5

The Devouring will make you stay up at night, just staring out the window and planning to hide under your blankets during Sorry Night so be prepared to face your fear. The unique premise of the book, in which Vours take over one’s body and uses it as a puppet, begins the series well by starting with an innocent, naïve boy, by playing the sympathy card as you wonder how a boy can live their fears everyday. Even though the characters could be developed better to create more of a connection between the readers, the plot balanced it out. I already have its sequel, The Soulstice, so I cannot wait to start it.

Fashion Friday (1-The Luxe)

2010-02-05T09:42:00.000-11:00

I thought this was a great match for Elizabeth. Elizabeth is characterized as being very pretty, but also fits into society's decorum. I thought casual professional would work for Elizabeth. The casual clothes, but also the underlying chick style, would be a great match for Elizabeth. I like the mid jacket and the white dress to almost create a pure aura.

For Diana, I thought a tomboy look was a match to her teenage kinda rebellious nature. Unlike her sister, Elizabeth, I didn't think she would be the one to wear "girly" stuff, but she is still known for being pretty in almost a tomboy way. I didn't think she would wear fancy dresses and clothes, but I thought the way she layers the different type of clothes work perfectly well, like the vest with the scarf, to create a fashion sense.

Ok, I nearly fell back in my chair from shock when I saw EMMA WATSON in this picture! I mean, Emma changed from the bookworm Hermione (who is too pretty to be Hermione) to a sexy woman. So, I thought this was a great match for Penelope, the "sexy" one who goes out of her way to not be conformed into the polite woman of the 1800s. The bright red dress against Penelope's skin and the bright red lipstick will work well to develop her as a woman who shines for the light.

The potential beauty of the model with the dress that tries hard to be formal and part of society's repsected reminds me of Lina. The stiff prettiness, created by the formal white dress with the high collar, and the pretty, but not absolutely, gorgeous face, portrays the adjusting Lina to me.

And then I couldn't leave the boys out :). I thought the colorful but aristocratic suits would be a perfect match for Henry and Teddy. They both have a boyish and innocent aura to them, which is created by the colorful suits, but also an elite sense of clothes.

So that ends today's Fashion Friday. Tell me your opinions and tell me what books you want me to do next week and also for Movie Poster Monday. By the way, if you live in the eastern part of the US, have fun with the snow!

Change of Meme and SNOW!

2010-02-04T12:57:00.000-11:00

Hey everyone! I hope everyone's been having a good week (sadly, I haven't. I really do hope it improves). I mentioned earlier that I will be hosting a meme of Fashion Thursday. But, I realized that I will not have time for that on a Thursday (school day), so I will move it to Fashion Friday (the name even makes more sense).
So expect it tomorrow. Also, I am open to any book suggestions. For now I'm thinking about The Luxe Series.

Also, if you live in the Eastern coast of the US, I'm sure everyone's excited about the snowstorm! My friends and I have been complaining that for some odd reason, all the snow storms come on a weekend, which means there is always the slight chance of school. But I heard this one is going to be really big, like the one we had before Christmas break. It's even possible for 20 inches. I'm crossing my fingers for no school! Also, the review for Devouring will be up soon along with Silver Phoenix.

Waiting On Wednesdays (4)

2010-02-03T07:42:00.001-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: Anxious Hearts
Author: Tucker Shaw
Publishing Date: May 1, 2010
Synopsis:

“Evangeline,” he repeated, calling at a whisper. “Evangeline.” He was not calling that she may hear, he was calling that somehow her soul might know that he was devoted entirely to her, only to her. “Evangeline, I will find you.”

Eva and Gabe explore the golden forest of their seaside Maine town, unknowingly tracing the footsteps of two teens, Evangeline and Gabriel, who once lived in the idyllic wooded village of Acadia more than one hundred years ago. On the day that Evangeline and Gabriel were be wed, their village was attacked and the two were separated. And now in the present, Gabe has mysteriously disappeared from Eva.

A dreamlike, loose retelling of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s famous love poem “Evangeline,” Anxious Hearts tells an epic tale of unrequited love and the hope that true love can be reunited.

My Thoughts:
The cover is absolutely beautiful with the color composition and the magical air of the forest. I'm ashamed to say that I do judge books by the covers so I cannot wait for the book to be released. Even if the contents of the book, I think I'll just buy this book for my bookshelf. Also, the plot seems romantically sad and a nice twist to the poem, Evangeline, which I have never read but read the summary of. Here are some photos and more information for the cover shoot.

Also, if any of you have book suggestions or ideas to either improve Movie Poster Monday or Fashion Thursday, please tell me. I still haven't decided what book to do for tomorrow's Fashion Thursday, so please feel free to tell me!

Movie Poster Monday (1-Silver Phoenix)

2010-02-01T11:01:00.003-11:00

Hey everyone! So this is my first time doing this meme. It's similar to Matching Actors to Characters, but instead of only naming characters who I think match the actors, I also compile some images and put them together to create a movie poster using my terrible Photoshop skills (if you want to help out, please let me know! :)).

The first book I decided to do was Silver Phoenix. I am currently reading it right now (review will be up this week!), so the characters are fresh in my mind. Also, I love to watch Asian soap operas so I knew a lot of actors/actresses that could match the characters. For our heroine, Ai Ling, I thought Kim So Eun would be a great match and for Cheng Yong, I thought Oh Ji Ho would be a great match. (The graphics are from the dramas, Empress Chun Chu and Chuno).

I thought Kim So Eun (the girl in the movie poster) matched Ai Ling with her innocent and pretty face, but with the sense of confidence. At first, I thought the picture in the top left corner was too regal to be Ai Ling. But I thought the contrast served well between the fancy dressed Ai Ling to the girl in pastoral clothes, fighting for her father's disappearance. I also thought Oh Ji Ho was a good match for Chen Yong, even though the actor is quiet old. Oh Ji Ho has a foreign, American look in his features, which make up the important characteristic of Chen Yong. Also, I've seen his acting before and I know he can pull out the confident, but weak in the inside, man.

So here's the movie poster! Again, I am really sorry if you are disappointed. I have little to no Photoshop experience, so if you want to contribute (or use this meme) please feel free to do so!

Hush, Hush Review

2010-01-31T06:40:00.000-11:00

Title: Hush, Hush
Author: Becca Fitzpatrick
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published Date: October 2009
Price: Amazon ($10.52)
Synopsis:

For Nora Grey, romance was not part of the plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how much her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch came along.
With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Nora is drawn to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure who to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is, and to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For Nora is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost her life.

Review:

News Flash:

Edward Cullen says goodbye to fame and fandom. Ex-Twilight fans now sport V scars instead of fangs.

Becca Fitzpatrick crafts an intoxicating boy, an inevitable and dangerous romance, and a story spun from the Bible story we thought we all knew. Nora Grey meets Patch in biology (Why do they always meet in biology, *ahem* Edward and Bella? My biology class is never that interesting) and is drawn to him, even though she knows her life is in risk as she hangs out more with Patch,

Nora was a well-developed protagonist, who I could easily relate to, with her ambition for school and her initial distance from the “bad” boy. I especially appreciated the fact that Nora wasn’t a “damsel in distress” as she doesn’t immediately fall on her knees and beg Patch to love her or by not calling him every time she needs help (even though she increasingly does so later in the book).

Patch. Extremely sexy guy that we barely know anything about except that he’s sexy and HAWT. Lol, ok there’s more to Patch that the reader is introduced to. But overall, I thought Hush, Hush only showed the façade of Patch, a boy deeply in love with the protagonist. There were so many complications in the plot as it moved back and forth between Patch’s intentions that I didn’t know which to believe. I felt that Patch’s coldness and his absence of emotions could be toned down a bit. I also wished Fitzpatrick would develop his past more and why he decides to become fallen. But, I thought the chemistry between Patch and Nora was depicted well enough for the readers to almost feel the love wave in their relationship.

I also thought the plot was designed well and could stand on its own without the romance (but who would want that?). During the beginning of the book, the chemistry between Nora and Patch was developed, but the second-half of the book picked up its pace in creating the suspense and the action. I loved Fitzpatrick’s unique idea of the fallen angels from the Adams and Eve story.

Plot: 5/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 4/5

Patch half-naked! Sorry, had to get that out of my system. I love the light play on the cover and the symbolism of Patch’s wings dropping. I thought the contrast and the variety of the color tones accentuated Patch’s character development and created the Patch’s past.

Overall: 4.5/5

Sexy bad boy, angels, and suspense. Fitzpatrick not only has a plot full of adventure and mystery, but she also depicts the romance between Patch and Nora with intoxicating emotions that the reader can’t help but fall in love with Patch himself. I thought Patch’s past could have been developed more, but we have the sequel Crescendo (*squeal*) so maybe we’ll find out more about him and about Nora’s past. If you are a fan or paranormal romance or sexy, bad boys, go get a copy of Hush, Hush and start reading it!

New Memes and Help?

2010-01-29T13:51:00.000-11:00

I am so sorry for the lack of posts this week! For some obscure reason, I thought the beginning of the new semester would be relaxed and will segue easily. But alas, teachers don't think that way. However, I have another review coming up this weekend.

Also, if you guys didn't know I did a meme called Matching Actors to Characters. I will still continue with this meme even though Natalie at Mindful Musings also holds a meme called Movie Cast Monday. There is not much difference between ours but I don't think I can do it on Mondays and my meme will have more of an in-depth analysis.

So, deciding to stem from the movie idea, I decided to do Movie Poster Mondays and Fashion Thursday. Movie Poster Mondays is when I create a movie poster of the book with the actors I think best represents them. During Fashion Tuesdays, I'll post the clothes I think the characters would wear.

So, this is when I get down on my knees and beg for help. If you have any experience with Photoshop and would like to help me out creating a movie poster or want to give me a few pointers (i.e. good tutorial websites), please comment or email me.

Thank you so much in advance. Also, if you think one of the memes is pointless and you don't think it's very interesting, please feel free to tell me so I won't waste time boring you guys! (By the way, I came across the picture of the girl and was astounded by its prettiness and great Photoshop skills, if you're wondering about its relevance ^^)

My First Award!

2010-01-25T14:56:00.000-11:00

My first award was given by Teddyree at The Eclectic Reader! Thank you so much!

The rules are pretty simple. Answer the following questions with Single Word answers then pass this along to 5 other bloggers. Make sure you let them know about it though.

Your Cell Phone? Cheap
Your Hair? Layers
Your Mother? Nagging
Your Father? Working
Your Favorite Food? Steak
Your Dream Last Night? Fantasy
Your Favorite Drink? Coke
Your Dream/Goal? Happy
What Room Are You In? Bedroom
Your Hobby? Reading
Your Fear? Bugs
Where Do You Want To Be In Six Years? Harvard
Where Were You Last Night? Home
Something That You Aren't? Slim
Muffins? Tasty
Wish List Item? Laptop
Where Did You Grow Up? America
Last Thing You Did? Homework
What Are You Wearing? Sweats
Your TV? Old
Your Pets? Dog
Friends? Helpful
Your Life? Tiring
Your Mood? Stressed
Missing Someone? Friends
Vehicle? None
Something You Aren't Wearing? Hat
Your Favorite Store? Borders
Your Favorite Color? Pink
When Was The Last Time You Laughed? Wednesday
Last Time You Cried? Thursday
Your Best Friend? Thoughtful
One Place You Go To Over And Over Again? Bookstore
Facebook? Rarely
Favorite Place To Eat? Bedroom

I would love to give this award to every one of my followers, but alas, I can't. So here are five blogs I've come upon and also bloggers that comment frequently, making my blogging experience more enjoyable!

Emma @ Emma Michaels
Jenny @ Wondrous Reads
Extreme Reader Book Review
Yan @ Books By Their Cover
Lindsay @ Crazy Books and Reviews

The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks Review

2010-01-24T08:37:00.001-11:00

Title: The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks

Author: E. Lockhart

Publisher: Hyperion

Published Date: March 2008

Price: Amazon ($11.55)

Synopsis (from Booklist):

In the summer between her freshman and sophomore years, Frankie Landau-Banks transforms from “a scrawny, awkward child” with frizzy hair to a curvy beauty, “all while sitting quietly in a suburban hammock, reading the short stories of Dorothy Parker and drinking lemonade.” On her return to Alabaster Prep, her elite boarding school, she attracts the attention of gorgeous Matthew, who draws her into his circle of popular seniors. Then Frankie learns that Matthew is a member of the Loyal Order of the Basset Hounds, an all-male Alabaster secret society to which Frankie’s dad had once belonged. Excluded from belonging to or even discussing the Bassets, Frankie engineers her own guerilla membership by assuming a false online identity. Frankie is a fan of P. G. Wodehouse’s books, and Lockhart’s wholly engaging narrative, filled with wordplay, often reads like a clever satire about the capers of the entitled, interwoven with elements of a mystery. But the story’s expertly timed comedy also has deep undercurrents. Lockhart creates a unique, indelible character in Frankie, whose oddities only make her more realistic, and teens will be galvanized by her brazen action and her passionate, immediate questions about gender and power, individuals and institutions, and how to fall in love without losing herself.

Review:

Evading society and breaking the rules behind authority make me more wistful for college life, away from parents and their scolding and nagging words. Or of Hogwarts (my letter is still lost in the mail, mind you). Feminism, strategist, and manipulation create Frankie Landau-Banks, a female reincarnation of a meaner Ender in Ender’s Game.

Frankie Landau-Banks is a female protagonist who wants to aim for more power and wants to be included in an exclusive society, the Basset Hounds. I absolutely loved Frankie and her ambitions. She doesn’t grovel at her boyfriend’s feet (which I find extremely annoying when I watch my soap operas) but rather wants to control and manipulate, the ultimate journey from the adorable and dependent girl her family sees her as. Frankie’s feminist power and stance creates a fresh difference from all the characters that moan and wonder about whether their boyfriends like them.

I felt the supporting characters could have been developed better through the omnipresent narrator. The third person narration could be annoying and ruinous to the book for some, but for me, it created a whole spy aura to it. How society is “watching” you through the concept of panopticon. By utilizing the third person narration, maybe E. Lockhart could have developed Alpha’s character more. I was indifferent to Alpha because all we saw of him was only the shell, the tough guy and the leader of the pack. I felt that Alpha’s weakness could have been developed better to create depth.

The romance fell flat in contrast to the manipulations and the pranks that Frankie pulls. I thought there was going to be a romance triangle prevalent in the book and I was excited for it but sadly it disappeared as it was overpowered by the power obsession Frankie has. Also, the romance between Frankie and Matthew was very boring and hypocritical of her. How she wants to please Matthew by doing all the pranks and how she still clings a bit for him towards the end.

Plot: 3/5

Characters: 3/5

Cover: 3/5

The cover’s simplicity portrays a sophisticated tone to it. And I love the use of the letter and the basset to show the book as a journal or a letter of the incidents of Frankie’s ambition for power and her inclusion in Basset Hounds.

Overall: 3/5

The unique development of the female protagonist and her ambition for power is a great way to develop the power of feminism and not conforming to society’s status quo. The third person narration helped create the atmosphere of the glares from society, but I felt it didn’t allow enough of the adventure of the pranks. Also, the development of the supporting characters could have been better. If you like to read books of being a strategist and manipulation, like a spy novel, or want to experience the freedom of college and boarding schools vicariously, read about Frankie Landau-Banks.

In My Mailbox (3)

2010-01-24T06:18:00.001-11:00

This weekend, I've got tons of books that I've been impatiently waiting for my library to order. Also, I apologize for the lack of reviews and posts these past two weeks. It's been very stressful for me (and sadly it still is) but now I have more leeway to read and escape from harsh reality (i.e. grades, nagging parents, homework, violin). You can expect a review today though! Without further ado, here are my impatiently waiting books.

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren and inspired by Pop Culture Junkie.

Borrowed from Library (To Be Read):

Soulless by Gail Carriger
Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
Splendor by Anna Goberson
Lament by Maggie Stiefvater

Swag (from Chick Lit Teen's 200 Followers Giveaway)

Hush Hush Poster (To match my book! Yea!)
Chick Lit Teens Bookmark (Thanks!)
Chasing Brooklyn Bookmark (Signed)
Cinderella Society Bookmark (Signed)

The Maze Runner Review

2010-01-21T11:08:00.000-11:00

Title: The Maze Runner
Author: James Dashner
Published Date: October 2009
Publisher: Random House
Price: Amazon ($9.93)
Synopsis:

When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. He has no recollection of his parents, his home, or how he got where he is. His memory is black. But he’s not alone. When the lift’s doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade, a large expanse enclosed by stone walls.
Just like Thomas, the Gladers don’t know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning, for as long as they could remember, the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. Every night, they’ve closed tight. Every thirty days a new boy is delivered in the lift. And no one wants to be stuck in the maze after dark.
The Gladers were expecting Thomas’s arrival. But the next day, a girl springs up—the first girl ever to arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. The Gladers have always been convinced that if they can solve the maze that surrounds the Glade, they might be able to find their way home . . . wherever that may be. But it’s looking more and more as if the maze is unsolvable.
And something about the girl’s arrival is starting to make Thomas feel different. Something is telling him that he just might have some answers—if he can only find a way to retrieve the dark secrets locked within his own mind.

Review:

Hunger Games + Lord of Flies = An exhilarating, page-turning, jaw-dropping journey into a realm of hope, disappointment, adventure, and the search for happiness

…in other words The Maze Runner!

The Maze Runner’s integration of the scientific manipulation of the boys and their ability to create a society without adults create a unique and thrilling premise. The terror and dread of the lives of the Gladers are portrayed with much detail as Dashner creates suspense at every chapter. When Dashner introduces the girl, Teresa, carrying a deadly note with an aura of foreboding, it actually scared me and kept me up at night, imagining the terror of the incident. How the girl suddenly rises up as if she’s a puppet and declares ominously that “things will change”. Every morning, doom awaits Thomas, as he understands the horror of the Grievers and experiences it and learns how trapped he is within the maze. The suspense and the stifling fear creates a horrifying tale as you root for the Gladers and want to rip the Creators apart (Lol, ok, I’m not evil. I just can’t stand the boys suffering any more!) Also, the letter at the ending just left you there speechless and you had to retrace a few steps back in the book to get it. When I finally got what really happened, I had to shake the book to see if any secret pages came flying out.

However, I had some pet peeves while reading the book. For example, sometimes I felt that Thomas was an impatient whining boy who thought his opinions were the most important. I also thought Thomas’s hate towards Gally was baseless and wasn’t developed enough to turn the readers against Gally too. In addition, the budding romance between Teresa and Thomas didn’t fit into the suspense and the dystopian world and wasn't integrated well. Maybe, it was to juxtapose all the doom and disaster, but I had to turn my head a little and read it through my peripheral vision as I skimmed through some of the lovey-dovey parts.

I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel, The Scorch Trials, to come out and find out what is really out there in the real world and what awaits the Gladers.

Plot: 5/5

Characters: 4/5

Cover: 3/5

This isn’t what I really imagined the maze to be like, but the trapped and menacing feelings with the spikes are created well. However, the lush green background just felt out of place with the darkness pervading in the book.

Overall: 4.5/5

If you liked the Hunger Games or any dystopian world or just need a book to keep you up all night, The Maze Runner is for you. The suspense and the mystery keeps you pondering what is really happening as the boys are manipulated. Also, the characters and their fears are developed satisfactorily as you want to go smack the Creators some sense.

Waiting On Wednesdays (3)

2010-01-20T05:46:00.001-11:00

Waiting On Wednesdays is a weekly meme, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights highly anticipated releases.

Title: This World We Live In (Moon #3)
Author: Susan Beth Pfeffer
Publishing Date: April 1, 2010
Synopsis:

It's been over a month since Miranda Evans has written in her diary, a month of relative calm for her and her family. It's springtime, and with warmer weather comes rain, and the melting of the winter's snow. The shad are running in a nearby river, and Miranda's brothers Matt and Jon leave home for a few days to see if they can catch some to supplement their food supply.

When they return, Matt brings with him a girl named Syl, who he introduces as his bride. But that's not the only shock Miranda and her family have to deal with. A few weeks later, Miranda's father, stepmother, and baby brother show up at her door. Accompanying them are three strangers, a man named Charlie Rutherford, and two teenagers, Alex and Julie Morales. These five people have crossed America together, becoming, in their own way, a family.

Miranda's complicated feelings about Alex, curiosity, resentment, longing, and passion turn into love. Alex's feelings are equally complex. His plans to escort Julie to a convent where she can be taken care of, so that he will be free to enter a monastery, are destined for failure. He wants desperately to live up to his moral code, but his desire for Miranda is too strong. He proposes to Miranda that they take Julie and go to a safe town.

But before Miranda and Alex can go off together, a devastating tornado hits the town of Howell, and in its aftermath, Miranda makes a decision that will change forever her life and Alex's, and the world that they live in will never be the same.

My Thoughts:
I loved the first and the companion books! They even made me go paranoid for a few weeks. I cannot wait to read the sequel, especially with romance in it to help divert from the dystopian world Pfeffer creates. Can't wait for the romance and more death and destruction to come!

Contests in the Blogosphere (3) and Body Finder Trailer

2010-01-19T11:44:00.002-11:00

Sorry I haven't been posting book reviews in a while! Blegh, exams and school. But here are some contests in the blogosphere (again, many are in the sidebar)! Also, the Body Finder trailer was released a few days ago along with a huge contest! I loved the trailer and I cannot wait for The Body Finder to be released into the public.

The Body Finder Trailer Contest @ The Road to Publication: Jan. 23
The Mark @ Page Turners: Jan. 20
Gift Cards (Book Depository) @ I Want to Read That: Jan. 25
2010 and 200 Followers Contest @ I Should Be Writing: Jan. 28
Wish @ Lauren's Crammed Bookshelf: Jan. 29
400 Followers Giveaway (Box of Books) @ All About {n}: Jan. 29
Once A Witch @ Katie's Bookshelf: Jan. 30