Summer, Where Art Thou? + Contest Extension

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

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!

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

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)

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)

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!