Demonglass Review

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.

Anna and the French Kiss Review

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

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.

Hex Hall Mini Review

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.

Halo Review

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!)

Ballad Review

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!

Forbidden Love-Love it or Flop?

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?

Wish Review

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

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.

Perfect Chemistry Review

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!

Hush, Hush Review

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!

You Are So Undead To Me Review

Title: You Are So Undead To Me

Author: Stacey Jay

Published Date: March 2009

Publisher: Razorbill

Price: Amazon ($8.77)

Synopsis:

Q: HOW MANY ZOMBIES DOES IT TAKE TO RUIN A SOCIAL LIFE?

A: NOT MANY.

Megan Berry is a Zombie Settler by birth, which means she's part-time shrink to a whole bunch of semi-dead people with killer issues. All Megan really wants is to go to homecoming, but when you're trailed by a bunch of slobbering corpses whenever you leave the house, it's kinda hard to score a date. Let's just say Megan's love life could use some major resuscitation.

Megan's convinced her life can't get any worse - until someone in school starts using black magic to turn average, angsty Undead into scary, hardcore flesh-eating Zombies. Now it's up to Megan to stop the Zombie apocalypse. Her life - and more importantly, the homecoming dance - depends on it.

Review: 

Stacey Jay creates a new twist to the zombies, or rather the Undead, as she is able to bring a whole new emotional face to it than the ugly monsters we see in movies. Not only does Jay create a unique plot, but also creates a love story you’ll root for.

The elements of the zombies bring a shining difference than vampires and werewolves (Sorry, Twilight!). A whole new psychological aspect is developed as the Undead are able to mend the stuff that they aren’t able to fix in their old life. Rather than creating an emotional journey where the reader cries buckets of tears, Jay is able to create it subtly as it doesn’t shroud the chick lit aspect. The adventures and the Zombie settling business were developed really well with the suspense and the mystery. Also, the ending caught me off guard and I was like “WHAT?!”. Jay helps develop the story and the motives behind the culprits to make them more realistic and a bit understandable.

I also thought the character development was really well done. At first, I hated Megan because she was way too much like the stereotypical teenage girl you see. Obsessed with boys, loves the biggest jock of the school who’s a jerk, and worries about her homecoming dance the most. I think the materialistic aspect was a little overdone but it served well to emphasize Megan’s development and how she finally accepts and even welcomes her job as a Settler. And, oh my, I absolutely fell in love with Ethan! He sounds amazingly handsome and is so caring and protective. You feel sympathy for Megan as she falls for Ethan and is hurt by misunderstanding in what she thinks is a platonic relation (which I thought so too, even though I kinda knew what would happen in the ending.)

The book is for anyone, especially those who needed a break from the overly used glittery vampires, lol. The premise of the zombies and the theme of regret create a wonderful story that I hope to see in the sequel, Undead Much? (released: next Friday, Jan. 21). I also cannot wait to see the romance bud.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 3.5/5

Cover: 3/5

At first, I thought she was standing on a soccer ball from the online edition, so I thought that Megan was a soccer player, lol. But I loved the idea behind the cover, as Megan is shown in control of the Unsettled. However, I felt that the background could be filled in better.

Overall: 3.5/5

An interview with Stacey Jay will be up later today or tomorrow! And watch out for the sequel, Undead Much? next week Jan. 21.

Once A Witch Review

Title: Once A Witch

Author: Carolyn MacCullough

Publisher: Clarion Books

Published Date: Sept. 2009

Price: Amazon ($10.88)

Synopsis:

Tamsin Greene comes from a long line of witches, and she was supposed to be one of the most Talented among them. But Tamsin's magic never showed up. Now seventeen, Tamsin attends boarding school in Manhattan, far from her family. But when a handsome young professor mistakes her for her very Talented sister, Tamsin agrees to find a lost family heirloom for him. The search—and the stranger—will prove to be more sinister than they first appeared, ultimately sending Tamsin on a treasure hunt through time that will unlock the secret of her true identity, unearth the sins of her family, and unleash a power so vengeful that it could destroy them all. This is a spellbinding display of storytelling that will exhilarate, enthrall, and thoroughly enchant.

MacCullough does a splendid job in creating a magical world without any of the Harry Potter cliché. I loved the intricate plot. It’s finally a book without the werewolves or vampires (even though I love them too) but creates this whole unique world that keeps you turning the pages, wondering what new information Tamsin is going to discover. The unique aspect of the plot and the action in the novel brings freshness from all the paranormal romance. Also, the theme of being looked down upon in your family is integrated connects to the reader in a psychological way, along with the common message that there is no black and white, no good or evil. The revelation at the end that Tamsin’s family isn't purely good makes me eagerly wait for a sequel (I really do hope there is one. MacCullough left a lot open).

The integration of how Tamsin is compared to her sister as she feels excluded and feels the shame of her family for being Talentless creates a friendship between the reader and Tamsin. MacCullough’s development of Tamsin through her beautiful language, with the sprinkle of a sassy tone of a normal teenager, creates a protagonist you will always root for. For example, whenever Rowena, Tamsin’s older sister, taunts Tamsin I get angry at Rowena that by the end of the book, I felt like Rowena, even after all her suffering, didn’t get the short end of the stick.

The romance in the book, I am sorry to say, was a bit disappointing. I actually expected romance to be the centerstage of the novel when I read the synopsis. I thought Gabriel’s and Tamsin’s relationship was adorable but I felt that there was no premise for their romance. Gabriel is the regular guy who comes back into Tamsin’s life after they were best friends during their childhood. Their relationship didn't really develop but more like leaped to a romantic stage. 

Overall, I thought the plot was exciting and made me flip the pages. Through every page, the plot thickens and there are always surprises. Pretty please (*puppy dog eyes*)..a sequel? Especially with more romance in it? Lol.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 5/5

Cover: 4/5

The cover is beautiful with the color assortment and the use of the book as the centerpiece. While the book does represent Tamsin’s family history book, it characterizes Tamsin as the hardworking student, aside from her family.

Overall: 4/5

Devoured Review

Title: Devoured

Author: Amanda Marrone

Published Date: September 2009

Publisher: Simon Pulse

Price: Amazon ($9.99)

Megan’s twin sister Remy died in an accident nine years ago, and she’s been haunting her ever since. Knowing how crazy that sounds, Megan keeps this secret to herself and tries to lead a normal life. But when she takes a summer job at Land of Enchantment to keep an eye on her new boyfriend and his lovesick best friend, Samantha, she meets fellow employee Luke who can see Remy, too. Things get even twistier because Megan’s new friend Ari is sporting a massive crush on Luke, who seems to be developing a massive crush on Megan…making for a love triangle that’s positively possessed. Megan wants to keep her distance from Luke, but when Remy’s visions get crazy violent; she knows she needs his help. Because someone’s definitely in danger...the only question is who?

I am still reeling from the horror factors of the book. I finished this book in one sitting and the unique twist Marrone takes with Snow White made me turn the pages as I waited for the resolution. The unique perspective Marrone takes with the happy fairly tales that Disney created create this horrifying tale of jealousy.

At first when I picked up this book, I expected it to be shallow (even though the cover was contrary) and more focused on the romantic aspect of Megan’s life. Since the last supernatural book I read was Give Up the Ghost, I expected something similar to it in focusing more on the psychological and thematic aspect. But, was I in for a surprise! The horror Marrone depicts through her detailed descriptions of the vision of the dead girl and the mystery she surrounds it with made me turn the pages. However, the downside to having ten different situations occurring at the same time leaves you in a “What just happened state?” There were three different plots occurring at one time, the crazed visions Remy was showing, the strained relation between Megan and her mother, and the love, how do we call it, pentagon. Sometimes, the three plots create confusion as Marrone flits back and forth, but the overall effect, as it kept the plot moving, was addicting.

However, I felt the plot’s fast paced speed kept it from developing the characters. Sometimes, and maybe it just reminds me too much of my annoying sister, Remy became way too childish for me to handle. Sure, I understand she’s a seven year old. But her temper tantrums, from the nursing home incident to the time Luke’s grandmother tries to speak to her, get a little annoying as I get more and more sympathetic toward Megan and the stress she feels. I also wanted Luke’s character to be developed more, rather than the "nice" guy (He kisses Megan even though he knows she has a boyfriend. Where is his time for "jealous revenge"?).

Even though the characters could have been developed more by playing on the reader’s emotions, I thought Marrone did a great job on intertwining the horror effect, the fairy tale, and the themes of jealousy (I actually think that I would rather not have mind-reading power) and death.

Plot: 4/5

Characters: 3/5

Cover: 4/5

I am a shameless to say but the cover was the first attraction to the book. The stark contrast of the red makeup formed Megan into a player and created a breathtaking beautiful woman, but also an evil edge to it. I also loved the color contrast between the dark dress and the green apple, representing Snow White. Overall, the color scheme was superb.

Overall: 3.5/5

Prada and Prejudice Review

Title: Prada and Prejudice

Author: Mandy Hubbard

Published Date: June 2009

Publisher: Razor Bill

Price: Amazon ($8.99)

To impress the popular girls on a high school trip to London, klutzy Callie buys real Prada heels. But trying them on, she trips…conks her head…and wakes up in the year 1815!

There Callie meets Emily, who takes her in, mistaking her for a long-lost friend. As she spends time with Emily’s family, Callie warms to them—particularly to Emily’s cousin Alex, a hottie and a duke, if a tad arrogant.

But can Callie save Emily from a dire engagement, and win Alex’s heart, before her time in the past is up?

More Cabot than Ibbotson, Prada and Prejudice is a high-concept romantic comedy about finding friendship and love in the past in order to have happiness in the present.

There are two sides of the book that countered each other when I started reading the book. The plot and the characters.

Before I start butchering the characters (ok, they weren’t really that bad), I absolutely loved the plot. I have never read Pride and Prejudice (I know, shoot me), but from reading garbled summers of it, the plot was a light and chic form of it. The subtle romantic journey between Callie and Alex makes you turn the pages, as you’re wondering when they are going to express their feelings for each other. I also loved Hubbard’s integration of the old style London with the modern feeling Callie brings in. (I really want to go to Callie’s school. A school trip to London!). The thematic element beneath all the craze and fun Callie has, as she learns to become more of an outgoing person and stand up to the mean girls of her school, creates a meaningful read. I thought the disguise as Rebbecca also helps with the plot.  Also, the ending made me smile as I imagined Callie’s happy future, rather than fretting what will happen and if there will be a sequel. Callie’s romantic life with Alex, rather than being cut short through the time change, continues to the present time.

Callie is portrayed as outspoken and generous character but Hubbard’s leap towards the abrupt change in the beginning creates an annoying and whining character. I thought the break through the quiet and shy shell in the beginning when she rebels against Victoria undermines the importance of the theme of changing into a girl who can stand up to herself. I think Hubbard stretched the theme to the extreme point and created a really pushy and annoying character, who just always to show off and prove her point. For example, if I was stranded in 18th century London (I wish I was), I would be polite when I first meet someone, even if that person insulted me on my clothes to my face. When Callie leaps back two hundred years and all of a sudden her personality changes from a quiet, lonely one to a frank and rebellious character, it creates this huge gap where the reader goes “What?” I also wanted Emily’s character to be developed a bit from this shallow character who still dreams of true love, even though it fits into a fairy tale setting. One character I was satisfied was Alex with his development, but sometimes I felt it hard to decipher Alex’s actions as signs of love or friendship (maybe it’s because I have no sense of dating and flirting).

Overall, I thought the book was a cute and fun read. After you get used to Callie’s frank and sometimes rude personality, the book is a fun read with the London and romantic twist.

Plot: 3/5

Characters: 3/5

Cover: 3/5

The cover is very pretty with the swirls and the Prada heels, with the cute little teacup, but I felt as if the background could be decorated more wisely, instead of having swirls in the background.

Overall: 3/5